I*»J 


i*m 


A  BOX  OF 


HAMBLEN 
SEARS 


W7.ll   b"   dv 


A  Box  of  Matches 

BY 
HAMBLEN  SEARS 


AUTHOR  OF 
NONE  BUT  THE  BRAVE,  ETC. 


ILLUSTRATIONS  BY 

WILL  GREFE' 


NEW   YORK 

GROSSET   &  DUNLAP 

PUBLISHERS 


Copyright,  1903,  1904, 

BY 

THE  CURTIS  PUBLISHING  COMPANY 


Copyright,  1904, 

BY 
DODD,  MEAD  &  COMPANY 


Published  September,  1904 


TO 

4 

MRS.  H.  E.  M. 

]Dear  Jenny: 

If  it  had  not  been  for  your  ideas  this  history 
of  the  scheming  of  a  certain  young  married  woman, 
whose  real  name  shall  never  be  disclosed,  would 
not  have  been  perpetrated.  It  is  therefore  your 
•fault — not  mine — that  the  public  is  burdened  with 
the  story.  You  are,  I  regret  to  say,  entirely  re- 
sponsible. Therefore,  the  least  you  can  do  is  to 
allow  me,  first,  to  inscribe  the  following  pages  and 
what  they  contain  to  your  fair  self,  and  second, 
to  inscribe  myself,  as  always, 

Yours  sincerely, 

J.  H.  S. 
August  1,  1904. 


43138017 


A   Box  of  Matches 


THE  little  two-wheeled  cart  pulled  up  at  the 
Braveurs',  just  across  a  couple  of  lawns  from  the 
Naugatuck  Club,  and  out  jumped  Mrs.  Braveur, 
so  preoccupied  that  she  forgot  to  give  Snap,  the 
pony,  his  lump  of  sugar. 

In  the  hall  she  found  a  letter,  and  without  stop- 
ping to  take  off  her  gloves  or  even  to  sit  down,  she 
opened  it.  Immediately  consternation  appeared 
on  her  face.  Then  she  sank  down  on  a  chair,  the 
letter  lying  in  her  lap. 

"Goodness  gracious!"  said  she  aloud.  "Good- 
ness me ! " 

The  door  from  the  veranda  opened  and  pell- 
mell  over  one  another  came  the  children  —  Lucy, 
Dick,  and  h'ttle  Mabel,  eight,  six,  and  two  respect- 
ively. There  was  a  rush  for  mother  and  all  began 
talking  at  once.  It  was  a  nice  little  family. 
Tiny  Mabel  with  white  dress  and  poke  bonnet  all 
covered  with  rosebuds;  Mrs.  Braveur,  apparently 


not  six  years  older  than  her  first-born,  also  in 
white  with  rosebuds;  rosebuds  on  the  furniture; 
rosebuds  on  the  white  curtains ;  rosebuds  —  real 
ones,  in  vases  —  a  sort  of  rosebud  family,  all 
white  and  clean  and  wholesome. 

But  these  were  stern  times. 

"Mabel,  sweetheart,  run  to  nurse  now,  and  you 
boys,  too.  Mother's  terribly  busy  —  come,  run 
along  quick!  See  who  goes  first!"  And  as 
more  wheels  sounded  outside  she  fell  to  saying, 
"Goodness  me!  What  shall  I  do!  What  shall 
I  do!" 

In  walked  the  person  who  was  responsible  for 
Lucy  and  children  and  rosebuds  and  all. 

"Oh,  Jim!"  cried  the  little  lady.  "  What 
shall  I  do?" 

"What!  where?"  said  he,  somewhat  startled. 

"  Ethel  is  coming  to-night ! "  and  she  subsided 
into  the  chair  again. 

"Well,  you  asked  her,  didn't  you?" 

"  Of  course,  but  it  was  for  next  week ! " 

"What's  the  difference?  She'll  see  the  polo 
now." 

"  But  George  Winthrop  is  coming  to  stay 
10 


A  BOX  OF  MATCHES 

with  us  while  the  rest  of  the  team  goes  to  the 
club." 

"Well,  well,  there  are  two  rooms  in  the  house, 
aren't  there?" 

"Don't  be  vulgar,  dear!  Perhaps  you  don't 
know  that  Ethel  and  George  scarcely  speak  now ! " 

"Good  Lord!  I  thought  you  had  'em  married 
a  few  weeks  ago." 

"I  know,  but  something  —  nobody  knows  what 
—  has  happened,  and  instead  of  being  engaged 
to  him  she  won't  even  recognise  him." 

"  This  '11  be  a  good  time  to  make  up." 

"  You're  such  an  idiot,  Jim.  Think  of  it ! 

Think  of  it !  Both  of  them  in  the  same  house 

Oh,  Annette,  please  get  me  some  tea,  I'm  —  I'm 
nearly  crazy  over  this." 

"  Come,"  said  Jim ;  "  have  tea  in  your  room 
and  faint  up  there  without  mussing  the  house." 

From  across  the  lawn,  up  the  veranda  and  into 
the  house  walked  a  smooth-faced,  light-haired 
young  giant.  He  put  down  his  bag  and  looked 
around.  Nobody  seemed  to  be  about.  He  tried 
the  drawing-room ;  then  the  billiard-room.  Wheels 
sounded  again  on  the  drive.  He  moved  back  into 

II 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

the  hall  and  came  face  to  face  with  a  girl  of  the 
age  the  gods  and  some  mortals  love. 

Their  eyes  met. 

"You!  here?" 

"  Seems  like  it." 

"You  knew  I  was  coming!" 

"  I  never  even  suspected  it." 

"You  might  have  known  it!" 

"I  suppose  so,  but  I  didn't  get  your  letter." 

"My  letter!     I  never  wrote  you  a  letter." 

"Then  how  should  I  know?" 

"  Will  you  go  away,  sir,  or  shall  I  ?  " 

"I  can't!" 

"Then  I  will."  And  the  big  hat  and  veil  and 
the  pretty  silken  gown  swept  up  the  stairway 
escorting  an  iceberg  to  Lucy  Braveur's  room. 


12 


n 


BRA\rEUR  fled  from  the  room  as  soon  as  he  heard 
the  rustle  of  an  approaching  gown. 

"  I'm  so  delighted,  Ethel,  dear,"  said  Lucy,  as 
she  kissed  the  iceberg,  trying  to  gain  time  by 
talking  fast.  "You've  come  just  in  time  -  " 

"I  should  think  I  had  --  " 

"  To  —  to  see  the  polo  to-morrow.  Jim's  men, 
the  Naugatucks,  are  going  to  play  the  Beltmoor 
team  —  I  only  got  your  note  -  " 

"Lucy  Braveur,  do  you  know  who  is  downstairs 
this  minute?" 

"No,"  surprised.     "Who?" 

"  George  Winthrop." 

"  Oh,  yes  !  he's  coming  —  he's  one  of  the  Belt- 
moor  team  —  he's  staying  here  with  us  over  Sun- 
day —  he's  -  " 

"He's  a  brute,  Lucy!  he's  —  he  isn't  —  isn't 
nice.  He  isn't  a  gentleman." 

"Don't  cry,  dear;  tell  me  -  " 
13 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"  Cry  ?  I  wouldn't  think  of  crying."  Though 
the  veil  got  up  over  the  big  hat  with  the  aid  of 
trembling  fingers,  disclosing  pretty  lips  that  were 
set  hard  together  and  a  little  chin  that  quivered 
never  so  little. 

Then  Lucy  came  to  herself.  She  moved  over 
and  put  her  arms  around  the  girl's  neck. 

"Tell  me  all  about  it,  dear."  And  the  iceberg 
melted  on  her  shoulder.  "  Tell  me  all  about  it." 

From  the  shoulder  came  a  sob.  "  I  can't !  I 
can't!" 

A  door  creaked  and  Lucy,  turning  softly,  saw 
the  somewhat  scared  countenance  of  her  Jim. 
She  made  a  terrible  grimace  and  the  door  creaked 
the  second  time.  All  was  still  again.  The  ice- 
berg continued  to  melt. 

"What  is  the  trouble?" 

"He  took  an  —  I  saw  him  at  a  —  Oh!  I  can't! 

I  can't!  It's  so  vulgar!  Lucy "  And  she 

straightened  up  with  the  big  hat  ridiculously  awry. 
"  Lucy,  I  won't  stay  —  I  must " 

"You  can't  get  out  of  it  now." 

"Why?" 

"He'll  see  you  run." 

14 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"  If  he  had  any  decency  he'd  run  himself." 

"  But  he  can't,  child !  Listen.  The  Altons  and 
the  Eatons  and  two  or  three  others  are  coming  to 
dine  to-night.  There'll  be  a  dozen.  You  needn't 
see  him  at  all,  and  to-morrow  he'll  be  away  all 
day." 

"I  can't!     I  can't!" 

"  Stay  and  —  and  j  ust  shame  him  for  doing 
what  —  what  he  did  —  though  I  don't  know  what 
he  did." 

"  It  was  dreadful ! " 

"  Of  course  it  was.  But  it  only  makes  it  worse 
to  run  away." 

A  sudden  lowering  of  temperature  and  conse- 
quent cessation  of  melting  iceberg.  The  pretty 
face  with  its  crooked  hat  became  firm  again. 
There  was  a  glint  in  the  brown  eyes. 

"  I'll  do  it.  You'll  see !  Just  wait."  And  she 
fled  to  her  room,  unpacked  her  trunk  in  feverish 
haste,  and  spent  two  hours  putting  on  her  best 
gown  and  making  herself  as  bewitching  as  ever 
was  fair  young  womanhood  before. 


in 


AS  the  people  came  down  to  dinner  Jim  Braveur 
looked  at  Ethel  an  instant  and  then  turned  to 
his  wife. 

"  Look  out  for  sparks,  Lu,"  said  he.  "  There's 
going  to  be  a  row." 

"Why,   what?"   whispered  Lucy. 

"  Look  at  Ethel  Aspinwall's  face." 

"There  can't  be  any  trouble.  She's  on  the 
other  side  of  the  table." 

"All  right;  but  mark  my  words,  she'll  squelch 
him." 

"Jim,  dear,  if  you  could  only  avoid  language 
you'd  be  a  nice  man." 

For  the  first  half  -hour  everybody  talked  and 
Lucy  began  to  breathe  easier.  Jim,  with  the 
basis  of  a  good  dinner  in  him,  felt  pretty  well  and 
forgot  the  whole  business  in  hand.  Then,  be- 
ginning to  realise  that  it  was  about  time  to  send 
the  conversation  from  one  side  of  the  table  to  the 

16 


A   BOX  OF   MATCHES 

other,  he  caught  a  remark  of  Miss  Aspinwall  on 
the  double  life  of  men  that  seemed  to  offer  the 
desired  opportunity. 

Then  out  spoke  Jimmy  the  blunderer. 

"Oh,  come  now,  Ethel."  And  of  course  every- 
body listened.  "A  man  is  a  peculiar  being  and 
sometimes  he  does  do  things  that  wouldn't  ap- 
pear well  in  print,  but  they  have  no  harm  in 
them." 

Ethel  straightened.  Lucy  looked  scared. 
Winthrop  began  to  eat  fast. 

"  There  is  no  excuse,"  said  Miss  Aspinwall  in 
clear  tones,  "  for  a  man  being  common." 

"Whew!     What  do  you  call  common?" 

Ethel's  brown  eyes  glistened. 

"  Is  it  necessary  to  go  into  details  ?"  she  asked 
coldly. 

"Such  as?"  asked  Jim,  while  Lucy  tried  in 
vain  to  get  a  signal  to  him. 

"  Suppose  Lucy,  for  instance,  happened  to  go 
into  a  restaurant  and  discover  you  dining  with  — 
with  an  —  an  actress ! " 

"Heavens!"  cried  Jim,  trying  with  indifferent 
success  to  suppress  a  smile. 

17 


A   BOX  OF   MATCHES 

"How  dreadful!"  said  Lucy  in  a  low  tone. 

"Incredible!"  said  Bert  Alton  with  a  sancti- 
monious expression. 

"Oh!"  said  Mrs.  Alton  and  Mrs.  Eaton  in 
unison. 

"  In  a  public  restaurant ! "  continued  Ethel 
with  a  pink  spot  on  either  cheek. 

"  It  would  be  all  right  in  a  private  dining-room, 
I  suppose?" 

"  Jim,  dear ! "  murmured  Lucy. 

"You  know,  Jim  Braveur,  that  wherever  it 
happens  it  is  just  a  sign  of  —  of  something 
awful!" 

"Horrible,"   said   Jim.     "Isn't   it,    George?" 

"  Not  particularly,"  said  George  coolly.  "  I 
like  dining  with  actresses." 

"Why,  George  Winthrop!"  cried  Lucy,  now 
thoroughly  aroused. 

"  But  then,  George  isn't  married." 

"But  he  was  —  that  is,  he  might — I  mean  he 
may  be  some  time,"  gasped  Lucy.     She  could  ha 
bitten  off  her  tongue. 

"George,"    said    Jim,    "give    us    more    details. 

Are  they  nice  girls  —  these " 

18 


A  BOX  OF  MATCHES 

"  Jim,  aren't  you  ashamed,"  from  the  other  end 
of  the  table. 

"  Let's  take  a  hypothetical  case,  said 
George,  looking  at  Jim  in  an  argumentative 
way. 

"Well?" 

"You're  unmarried,  do  you  see?" 

"  He  isn't ! "  cried  Lucy. 

Everybody  laughed. 

"  Impossible,  George,"  said  Jim.  "  Pm  in  the 
bosom  of  my  family." 

"  Marriage  has  nothing  to  do  with  it,"  cried  a 
fair  girl  across  the  table,  carefully  addressing 
Braveur. 

"Well,  suppose  you're  unmarried,  anyway," 
began  George  again. 

"Lucy,  do  you  mind  my  being  unmarried  for 
a  minute?  " 

"I  don't  think  you're  very  nice,"  said  Lucy, 
still  making  signals. 

"  George,"  said  Jim,  "  take  somebody  else.  I'm 
not  nice." 

"I  don't  mean  you,  goose,  I  mean " 

"Marriage?" 

19 


A   BOX  OF,  MATCHES 

"Of  course  not.  I  mean  —  I  mean  —  er  — 
actresses  and  things !  " 

"  George,"  said  Jim  solemnly,  "  leave  out  the 
things,  anyway.  Actresses  are  bad  enough, 
Heaven  knows ! " 

"Well,  suppose " 

"  Suppose  —  er  —  say  John  Brown  —  my  friend 
John  Brown  —  unmarried " 

"Could  he  be  engaged?"  asked  the  innocent 
host. 

"  Shut  up,  Jim !     Brown  has  a  friend  —  Smith 

—  whose  sister  is  an  actress  —  she  plays  here  in 
New   York  —  is    well    known  —  always    lively    and 
pretty-    -" 

"  Careful  of  details,  George,"  advised  Jim. 

"  At  home  there  is  only  herself  and  Smith. 

Smith  drinks.  Sister  pays  the  bills Miss 

Aspinwall  began  to  move  a  little  in  her  chair  and 

—  did  she  sniff?  —  "Smith  drinks  and  wastes  the 
money.     Then  —  Smith  dies." 

"  How  dreadful,"  whispered  tender-hearted 
Lucy,  stealing  a  melting  look  at  the  iceberg  that 
got  frozen  in  transit. 

"Right  on  top  Miss  —  Miss  —  er  —  Smith  loses 
20 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

her  job  —  taking  care  of  the  skunk  Smith  — 
money  all  gone  —  brother  dead — job  lost  —  fol- 
lowed by  melancholy  and  depression." 

Everybody  leaned  forward,  for  there  was  some- 
thing in  Winthrop's  face  that  gave  spice  to  the 
Brown-Smith  supposition.  There  might  be  tears 
in  Mrs.  Braveur's  eyes,  for  Lucy  was  as  tender  as 
a  child.  Somebody  else  got  interested  in  spite 
of  herself. 

"  Melancholy  and  depression,"  prompted  Jim. 

"Just  then  my  friend  Brown  comes  along  and 
discovers  the  situation " 

"And  gives  the  girl  a  new  start?  Money  and 
so  on?  Good  for  him!" 

"  Not  at  all !  Say  there  isn't  any  too  much 
grub  in  the  larder.  Say  he  just  thinks  he'll  give 
her  a  good  fat  meal  and  brace  her  up  —  and  — 
and  —  you  know."  George  smiled  stupidly. 

"  George,  you're  a  brick,"  said  Jim. 

"Rot,"  said  that  gentleman.  "You  asked  me 
if  a  man  might  dine  with  an  actress.  I  say  yes, 
and  give  you  a  hypothetical  case.  That's  all.  I 
wouldn't  mention  such  a  thing,  except  that — i 
that-  -" 

21 


A  BOX   OF   MATCHES 

*'  Except  what  ?  "  asked  Jim,  smiling. 
"  Nothing,"  said  George. 

There  was  an  instant  of  silence  and  —  was  that 
another  sniff? 


22 


IV 


IN  the  morning  Wmthrop,  being  more  or  less 
bothered  in  his  mind,  woke  early,  dressed,  and 
went  downstairs.  The  Braveurs  breakfasted  in 
the  movable  feast  fashion  of  Englishmen  with  all 
the  things  on  a  hot  tin  pan  on  the  buffet.  He 
went  in  —  and  found  Miss  Aspinwall  seated  alone 
at  the  table. 

"  Good-morning,"  said  he. 

"  Good-morning." 

Silence.     He  hesitated. 

"  Shall  I  leave  you  alone?" 

No  answer  for  a  moment.     Then: 

"  I  usually  breakfast  alone." 

He  turned  to  the  door. 

"But  --  " 

He  came  back  toward  the  table. 

"Even  if  I  were  inconvenienced——** 

He  turned  toward  the  door. 

"  I've  finished  —  nearly." 

23 


He  pivoted  again,  went  over  to  the  tin  pan  and 
helped  himself.  Then  he  sat  down  opposite  her. 

Silence  for  a  while  again. 

She  looked  straight  at  him,  collected,  clear-eyed, 
and  prettier  than  any  woman  has  a  right  to  be  in 
the  morning. 

"About  that  actress,"  he  blurted  out  abruptly 
—  "  what  I  said  last  night " 

"Was  enough;  there  is  nothing  more  to  be 
said." 

"Nothing  except  that  a  gentlewoman  would  be 
expected  to  examine  a  case  before  judging  so 
harshly." 

"  I  know  what  I  saw  that  night  —  I  heard  your 
own  ridiculous  explanation  last  night." 

"Then,  as  you  say,  there's  nothing  more  to  be 
said." 

"  I  think  there  is." 

"  But  you  said  there  wasn't." 

"I  said  —  I  said  - 

"Furthermore,  I  made  no  explanation  last 
night,  and  in  all  politeness  I  don't  propose  to." 

"  I'm  not  your  judge.    I  —  I  am  not  —  I " 

"Will  you  have  some  peaches?" 
24 


A  BOX  OF  MATCHES 

"No." 

Nevertheless  he  brought  some  around  to  her  side 
of  the  table,  drew  up  the  next  chair  and  sat  down. 

"  You'd  better.     I  think  they're  good." 

"  How  ridiculous !  Do  you  suppose  they'd  give 
us  bad  fruit  ?  " 

"Anything  might  turn  suddenly  bad  this 
morning." 

She  looked  hard  at  her  plate. 

"  Ethel !  Won't  you  be  fair  and  give  me  a 

Hang  it !  What  a  time  of  day  for  such  talk," 
and  he  got  up  and  strode  across  the  room. 

Suddenly  she  began  to  laugh  excitedly.  He 
looked  at  her  in  wonder,  and  saw  her  put  her 
handkerchief  to  her  eyes  and  sob  and  sob.  He 
ran  to  her  and  took  her  hands  from  her  face. 

"  St ! "  he  whispered.  "  Here's  some  idiot." 
And  in  walked  Lucy  and  Jim. 

"Good-morning,"  said  the  latter,  and  then 
before  anyone  knew  more  the  screen  door  to  the 
veranda  opened  and  in  rushed  little  Jimmy  burst- 
ing with  news. 

"Oh,  mother,  I  saw  him  holding  her  ha " 

"  Shut  up,  you ! "  roared  his  father.  Winthrop 
25 


A  BOX  OF  MATCHES 

set  his  teeth  and  made  a  grab  at  the  boy.  Over 
Ethel's  face  ran  a  bright  glow  that  spread  to  her 
hair  and  neck  as  she  sat  looking  at  her  plate. 

"Lucy,"  cried  her  spouse,  "for  Heaven's  sake, 
hasn't  that  kid  got  some  lessons  this  morning  ?  " 

"  Yes,  dear,  but  he  must  have  his  breakfast." 

"Well,  then,  get  Annette  to  stuff  an  omelet 
down  his  throat  and  keep  him  quiet." 

"Oh,  Jim!"  And  Lucy  put  her  arm  around 
her  son,  who  felt  somehow  that  his  great  news  had 
miscarried. 

Winthrop  got  up  and  walked  out.  The  other 
three  ate  in  silence  for  a  moment  and  then  Braveur 
caught  a  sign  that  he  knew  and,  mumbling  some- 
thing, hurried  out  of  the  room. 

On  the  veranda  he  accosted  the  moody  Win- 
throp. 

"Finished  your  breakfast?" 

"Didn't  begin." 

"  Nor  I.  It  strikes  me  a  man  might  have  peace 
and  quiet  at  least  at  breakfast.  Let's  go  over 
to  the  club  and  get  something  solid." 


26 


THE  match  between  Winthrop's  Beltmoor  team 
and  the  Naugatuck  men  was  on.  The  first  period 
was  just  over.  On  the  grand-stand  at  one  side  of 
the  field  sat  those  who  lived  near  by,  and  on  either 
side  drags,  brakes,  motor  cars,  carts,  and  all  kinds 
of  vehicles  were  filled  with  people.  The  grand- 
stand itself  made  a  brave  little  show  of  fair  girls 
and  young  wives  who  gossiped  outrageously  while 
they  watched  their  husbands  and  brothers  tear  up 
and  down  the  field.  Little  Mrs.  Braveur  kept  her 
eyes  on  her  Jim  every  minute,  as  she  always  did 
when  he  played  polo,  with  a  kind  of  sickening 
dread  of  what  might  happen.  But  she  talked  and 
laughed  and  gossiped  with  the  rest.  Ethel  Aspin- 
wall  sat  perfectly  still,  apparently  cool  and  col- 
lected as  usual. 

Down  came  the  two  teams  running  hard  along 
the   boards    after    a    good   stroke.     Jim    Braveur 
rode  his  man  off  and  Alton  made  a  prodigious  drive 
27 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

under  full  speed  straight  for  the  goal,  following 
it  up  for  a  score. 

"  Wasn't  that  wonderful  of  Ben ! "  cried  Mrs. 
Alton. 

"Yes,  splendid,"  said  Lucy  with  tempered  en- 
thusiasm. "  Of  course  Jim  rode  off  his  man  and 
made  it  possible." 

"  But  Freddie  Peters  isn't  up  to  his  game  at 
all,  is  he?" 

"No,  he's  playing  dreadfully,"  agreed  Lucy. 
Mrs.  Peters  was  out  of  hearing  at  the  other  end 
of  the  stand. 

"You  like  it,  Ethel?"  asked  Lucy  in  a  hostess- 
sort  of  voice. 

"Yes,"  said  Miss  Aspinwall,  her  eyes  fixed  on 
the  field  where  play  had  begun  again. 

"Mr.  Winthrop  plays  beautifully,"  whispered 
Lucy.  "  But  I  do  hope  his  lead  will  be  cut  down. 
I'm  just  mean  enough  to  be  glad  they  haven't  so 
many  ponies  as  our  men,  and  so,  of  course,  they 
won't  do  so  well  in  the  last  period." 

So  the  play  went  on  until  there  came  a  cross- 
stroke  and  three  men  on  each  team  made  toward 
the  grand-stand  for  the  ball.  They  came  on  with 

28 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

prodigious  speed,  Braveur  and  Winthrop  in  the 
lead,  one  trying  to  ride  the  other  off  —  when 
something  happened  and  Winthrop's  pony  fell 
and  rolled  over  him. 

There  was  an  instant  of  stunned  silence,  and 
then  a  growing  murmur  of  exclamations  and 
cries. 

"What  did  it?"  "Who  was  it?"  "It's  Mr. 
Winthrop!"  "Is  he  dead?"  "He  doesn't 
move!"  Winthrop  lay  on  his  back  on  the  turf 
with  Braveur  kneeling  by  him,  his  pony  galloping 
across  the  field,  and  people  running  out  to  the 
ever-increasing  circle  from  all  points.  On  the 
stand  everybody  was  talking  and  asking  ques- 
tions. 

One  girl  only  sat  perfectly  still,  without  the  least 
colour  in  her  face  or  lips,  gazing  with  wide  eyes 
down  into  the  crowded  circle.  Lucy  gave  a  tender 
little  thanks  in  her  heart  that  it  had  not  been  some- 
one else  and  then  turned  to  her  friend. 

"Ethel!  Ethel  darling!"  she  whispered, 
"  don't  look  so !  Perhaps  he's  only  stunned. 
Ethel!" 

"  I  must  go  down  to  him,"  whispered  the  young 
29 


girl  in  an  emotionless  voice,  "I  must  go  down  to 
him!" 

"No,  no,  dear!  Not  here!  Sit  still.  You 
couldn't  go  down  there.  Jim's  there — he'll  do  all 
that  can  be  done!"  And  she  forced  her  back 
into  her  seat. 

They  had  lifted  Winthrop  and  carried  him  to 
a  trap,  and  the  next  moment  Braveur  came  hur- 
riedly to  them,  not  stopping  to  answer  the  hundred 
questions  put  to  him. 

"  Lucy,"  he  said,  "  go  home  quick.  Alton's 
man  will  take  you.  Get  George's  room  readv  at 
once." 

"  Is  it  bad,  Jim  ?  "  she  asked. 

"I  don't  know.  Blanchard  is  there  and  says 
he  can't  tell.  He's  unconscious  —  pony  rolled  on 
to  him."  Then  he  caught  a  strange  light  in  his 
wife's  eyes  and  suddenly  turned  and  saw  Ethel's 
face.  "  Oh,  he's  all  right,"  he  continued  in  a  dif- 
ferent tone.  "He's  just  stunned.  We'll  have 
him  right  as  a  trivet  at  home." 

"  I  am  going  over  there  to  him,"  said  Ethel  in 
that  same  monotonous  tone. 

"  Not  a  bit  of  it ! "  cried  Braveur.  "  You  can't 
30 


A   BOX  OF   MATCHES 

here!  Don't  worry.  He'll  live  to  kick  yet. — Get 
home,  Lucy,  right  away,"  he  added  and  was 
gone. 

But  there  was  some  delay,  and  when  they  did 
reach  home  Winthrop  was  in  his  room  with  Dr. 
Blanchard.  Then  came  a  struggle.  The  ener- 
getic Miss  Aspinwall  insisted  on  going  in ;  Braveur 
insisted  otherwise,  and  finally  Lucy  decided  in  the 
girl's  favour. 

"You  let  her  go  in,  Jim.  Mind  me.  I  know. 
She'll  collapse  if  you  don't.  She  frightens  me  now, 
she's  so  calni.  It's  dreadful!"  And  in  she  went. 
The  man  lay  on  his  bed  moving  slowly  but  con- 
stantly from  side  to  side,  quite  unconscious,  Blanch- 
ard working  over  him.  The  Doctor  turned  as  the 
three  came  in  and  said  brusquely: 

"Get  out  of  here,  all  of  you!"  But  Ethel 
stayed  and  began  quietly  picking  up  Winthrop's 
clothes,  folding  them  and  putting  them  on  a  chair. 
In  a  moment  Blanchard  said: 

"  Get  me  some  hot  water  and  a  sponge." 

She  had  them  in  a  moment. 

And  so  they  worked  on  for  an  hour  —  the  man 
intent  on  his  work,  the  frightened  girl  in  her  white 

31 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

lace  gown  and  big  hat  —  with  never  a  word,  but 
now  and  then  a  sharp  order  from  the  Doctor. 

Then  Winthrop  opened  his  eyes  and  they 
cleared. 

"Can  you  understand?"  asked  Blanchard 
quickly. 

Winthrop  nodded.     Ethel  stood  stock  still. 

"Where  is  it?" 

There  was  an  unintelligible  sound. 

"What?"  asked  Blanchard  sharply. 

"He  said  'back,'"  whispered  Ethel. 

"Can  you  move  your  legs?" 

The  coverlet  moved  slightly. 

"Good,"  said  Blanchard,  and  then  began  more 
orders  that  required  Braveur  and  his  wife,  and 
they  all  worked  until  a  nurse  arrived  from  town, 
when  Ethel  was  taken  away  by  force. 

At  nine  o'clock  the  Doctor  came  downstairs  and 
said  that  it  was  a  bad  strain  of  the  back,  but  that 
so  far  as  he  could  see  nothing  was  broken  and  the 
spine  was  all  right.  "  But  it's  a  damnable  game, 
Braveur,  and  you  ought  all  to  be  hanged  for 
playing  it.  It's  only  chance  that  the  life 
wasn't  squashed  out  of  him. — Now,  my  child, 

32 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

you're  a  good  'un!  But  you  go  straight  to 
bed." 

"I  don't  need " 

"  Don't  you  dare  express  an  opinion !  Drink 
that  —  there!  Mrs.  Braveur,  if  you  don't  take 
that  girl's  clothes  off  and  put  her  to  bed  at  once, 
I  will.  And  then  there'll  be  a  scandal  in  the 
Naugatuck  colony,  for  sure!" 


VI 


"ETHEL,"  said  Lucy  at  sunset,  two  days,  later. 
"  George  asked  me  if  you  were  still  here." 

"Did  he?"  asked  that  young  lady. 

"Yes,  he  did.  Don't  you  think  you  might  go 
in  and  see  him  once?" 

"I  hadn't  thought  so-    -" 

"  I  —  I  don't  believe  he  quite  understands  your 
being  in  the  room  the  other  day  and  not  going 
near  him  since." 

"Well,  I  can't  be  responsible  -  " 

Then  up  rose  the  good  woman  in  Lucy's  soul, 
and  wrath  blazed  from  her  blue  eyes. 

"  Ethel  Aspinwall,"  said  she,  "  you  ought  to  be 
ashamed  of  yourself  —  ashamed  of  yourself!  What 
do  you  mean  by  letting  him  see  you  there  when  he 
came  to,  and  then  not  going  near  him  again  ?  It's 
outrageous  !  Go  up  to  his  room  this  minute  and 
be  a  real  woman  for  once  !  " 

"Do  you  mean  —  now?" 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"  Instantly." 

She  went.  At  the  door  she  hesitated,  and  then 
knocked. 

"  Come  in,"  said  a  voice  that  made  her  catch 
her  breath. 

Slowly  she  opened  it;  slowly  she  went  in. 

"  Halloa,"  said  the  sick  voice  with  an  attempt 
at  cheeriness,  "come  in  and  jolly  the  wreck." 

"How  do  you  feel?"  asked  Ethel  coldly. 

"  I  can't  feel  at  all.  I  can't  even  shake  hands, 
but  I'll  be  all  right  again  yet." 

She  stood  by  his  bed. 

"Can  I  do  anything  for  you?" 

"Yes,"  said  he. 

"What  is  it?" 

"  Draw  up  that  chair  there  where  I  can  see  you, 
and  talk  to  me." 

The  chair  was  brought,  and  this  strange  crea- 
ture in  the  soft,  clinging  gown  sat  down  close  by 
the  bed. 

"  I'm  glad  —  so  glad  you're  better." 

"Bad  spill,  wasn't  it?" 

"  It  was  horrible !  horrible ! "  whispered  Ethel, 
her  hand  going  to  her  face  with  a  pathetic  gesture. 

35 


-  A   BOX   OF    MATCHES 

"Well,  the  only  horrible  thing  now  is  that  I've 
got  to  bother  Jim  and  his  wife  for  a  while  —  and 
you,  too " 

"Don't!  Don't!" 

"I'm  sorry.  I  seem  to  succeed  in  bothering 
you  a  great  deal  lately ! " 

"  Please,  please  don't ! " 

"  Never  mind.     It's  a  fine  sunset,  isn't  it  ?  " 

She  got  up  and  walked  to  the  window. 

"You're  not  going  away?"  he  called  with  ab- 
surd plaintiveness. 

There  was  a  moment's  hesitation.  Then,  still 
looking  from  the  window,  she  said  slowly : 

"I  want  —  I'd  like  to  say  something  to  you. 
Will  you  listen?" 

"  All  night." 

"Then  I  —  if  I  were  a  man  I'd  dine  with  any 
actress  I  pleased!" 

"Ethel!" 

The  figure  by  the  window  moved  slightly. 

"  Ethel,  come  here ! " 

She  moved  as  if  against  her  will,  but  in  a 
moment  she  was  sitting  in  a  low  chair  by  the 
bed. 

36 


A    BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"Ethel,  look  at  me!     Please!     I  can't  move  a 
finger." 

Instantly   she  turned  to  him   and  he  saw   the 
brown  eyes  glistening  in  the  fading  light. 

"  Let  me  tell  you  the  whole  story " 

"No,   no,    I    don't   want    ever   to   hear.       I'm 
ashamed  —  and  so  sorry  —  so  sorry!" 

"  I've  done  worse  things " 

"I  don't  care,  if  you  only  lo Oh,  what 

am  I  saying?" 

"  Sit  down  again.     Say  it !     Say  it ! " 

"I  won't!" 

"  Ethel." 

"Yes?" 

"  Will  you  do  something  for  me  ?  " 

"Yes." 

"Sure?" 

"Pretty  sure,"  doubtfully. 

"  Just  lean  over  and  kiss  me." 

"  Oh ! "  and  she  sat  bolt  upright. 

"If  you  don't  I'll  get  up,  and  then  I'll  —  I'll 
be  dead!" 

"Don't  you  move!"  she  cried  as  she  put  her 
hand  on  the  coverlet. 

37 


A   BOX   OF    MATCHES 

"Will  you?" 

"No,  I  won't!" 

"  All  right ;  look  out ! " 

"Stop!  I  — I-  -"  And  she  leaned  ten- 
derly over  the  bruised  body  and  put  her  lips  softly 
to  his. 

"  Oh ! "  murmured  the  man.     "  To  think  that  I 

can't  even  move  a  finger Ethel,"  for  she 

had  started  up  to  the  window  again. 

"  Yes  ?  "  faintly,  yet  she  came  back  to  the  chair. 

"  Will  you  do  something  else  for  me  ?  " 

"No,  I  won't.     What  is  it?" 

"  Do  that  once  more  —  please ! " 

With  a  faint  little  sound  that  would  have  been 
a  laugh  if  it  had  not  been  so  pathetic,  she  leaned 
over  him  again  and  put  her  fair  cheek  against  his 
and  her  arm  around  his  head.  And  so  they  lay  for 
a  moment,  the  giant  done  up  in  bandages,  the 
young  girl  full  of  the  health"Hhd  grace  of  woman- 
hood. 

"Do  you  mind  taking  me  all  smashed  up  like 
this?" 

"Not  a  bit." 

"Maybe  I  haven't  got  many  legs  and  arms." 
38 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"  I  don't  care." 

"  Perhaps  you'll  have  to  push  me  around  in  a 
go-cart." 

"  I'd  love  to." 

"You  wouldn't  rather  have  somebody  else?" 

«No,  dear." 

"  And   you    don't    mind    the  —  the    actress  ?  " 

"No,  no  —  I  —  I  —  was " 

"What?" 

She  turned  her  face  against  the  pillow  and 
whispered : 

"  Jealous ! " 

"Thank  God!" 

And  so  they  remained  as  the  day  died  away, 
neither  moving  nor  saying  a  word,  the  fair  brown 
head  against  the  yellow  one  with  no  care  for  the 
future,  simply  with  peace  and  happiness  in  the 
present. 


39 


VII 


"I  GUESS  George  is  coming  out  all  right,"  said 
Braveur  to  his  wife  a  couple  of  days  later. 

"  I  guess,  sir,  that  you  know  very  little  about 
it." 

"What's  up?" 

"Matrimonial  stock,  Mr.  Braveur,"  said  the 
lady. 

"  You  don't  mean  to  say  -  " 

"I  do." 

"Upon  my  word,  Lu,  you  are  a  matchmaker, 
for  sure.  And  so  they've  patched  it  up?" 

"Yes." 

"And  the  actress?" 

"Sh  —  h!"  whispered  Lucy.  "Don't  you  dar* 
to  ever  mention  that  awful  creature  again!" 

"Why?     Isn't  Ethel  on?" 

"  I  don't  know  whether  she  is  on  or  off,  but  I  do 
know  that  you  very  nearly  spoiled  the  whole  thing 
at  dinner,  making  fun  of  them." 

40 


A   BOX  OF   MATCHES 

"I  believe  my  making  a  joke  of  it  saved  the 
day •• 

"  You ! " 

"Yes.  I  suppose  you  think  you  did  it  all," 
and  he  laughed  down  at  her. 

"  I  not  only  think  it,  but  I  know  it ! " 

"  And  as  a  matter  of  fact  we  didn't  either  of  us 
have  anything  to  do  with  it." 

"What  did  then,  if  you  please?" 

"The  polo  pony  that  fell  on  him,"  and  he 
chuckled  audibly. 

She  hesitated  a  moment  and  then  laughed 
too. 

"Perhaps  he  did  hurry  it  up,  but  really,  to  be 
honest,  the  pony  didn't  half  do  it." 

"  Ah,  you  claim  the  honour  still  ?  " 

"  No.  She  was  going  to  marry  him  anyway  — 
actress  or  no  actress  —  pony  or  no  pony." 

"Probably." 

"Jim,  I've  got  an  idea." 

"  Anybody  else  to  marry  ?  " 

"  Oh,  no.  But  it's  so  much  more  fun  here  than 
in  New  York,  that  I'm  going  to  keep  the  house 
half  open  and  come  down  here  this  winter  with 
41 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

some  people   for   Saturdays  and  Sundays.        Do 
you  think  we  can?" 

"  That  really  is  an  idea,  Lucy !  We'll  do  it." 
And  they  did;  for  when  January  opened  won- 
derfully,— cold  and  clear,  good  skating  and 
sleighing, —  the  idea  took  form  and  Lucy  carried  it 
out  with  her  usual  businesslike  promptness.  The 
people  were  well  chosen.  Hence  the  success  of  the 
idea.  To  have  a  good  idea  and  carry  it  out  suc- 
cessfully—  that  is  the  best  thing  in  the  world. 
Therefore,  as  his  wife  originated  the  idea,  and  as 
she  carried  it  out  successfully  by  getting  a  dozen 
congenial  people  together,  Jim  Braveur  decided 
again  that  she  was  the  best  thing  in  the  world. 


VIII 


MOST  of  the  guests  gathered  at  dinner  one  Fri- 
day night.  Saturday  morning  breakfast  was  a 
movable  feast  —  many  empty  places  with  little 
piles  of  letters  by  each  place. 

"  I  hate  breakfasts,"  said  Winthrop  politely  to 
his  hostess,  who  was  making  new  coffee  for  him. 

"This  particular  one?" 

"  No,  generically." 

"  Why  ?  "  testing  the  sputtering  coffee  machine. 

"  It's  merely  a  coaling  up  for  the  day.  You 
can't  talk  till  it's  over  -  " 

"  You  needn't  talk  to  me." 

"  Oh,  of  course,  like  all  women,  you  take  an  ab- 
stract statement  as  a  personality." 

"  Where  is  your  wife?  " 

"  Still  snoring,  I  expect." 

"  George  !  What  a  dreadful  thing  to  say  ! 
Good-morning,  Helen  !  "  as  a  white  lacy  morn- 
ing gown  all  little  ends  and  hanging  pieces,  topped 
43 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

by  a  rather  sleepy  but  altogether  charming  head 
came  in  and  sat  down  near  her.  "  I'm  so  glad 
you've  come.  George  has  been  insulting  me." 

"There!  there!  that's  it.  I  merely  said  I  was 
never  in  a  presentable  frame  of  mind  at  breakfast, 
and  she  says  I'm  insulting." 

"  I  must  say,  dear,"  said  Miss  Gardner,  "  I'm  a 
little  —  little  somnolent  myself,"  and  she  began  to 
open  her  letters.  The  coffee  machine  did  all  the 
talking  for  a  moment  and  then  Mrs.  Braveur 
looked  up  at  the  sudden  crushing  of  paper  on  her 
left.  She  saw  something  appear  and  disappear 
on  the  girl's  face  and  then  said : 

"  Come,  George,  you've  finished.  Go  and 
smoke.  I  want  to  talk  to  Helen." 

He  got  up  meekly  and  went  into  the  library. 

"What  is  it,  dear?" 

"Lucy,  you've  asked  Ned  Endicott  to  come." 

"Are  you  disappointed?"  slily. 

"Oh,  no.  Only  —  I  didn't  know — that  is,  I 
didn't  expect  him." 

"Do  you  young  people  correspond?" 

"  Sometimes.  I've  known  him  so  long,  you 
know." 

44 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"Don't    apologise,    you    deceiver.     I    suppose 
you've  known  him  almost  a  year." 

"  Goodness,  nearly  two ! " 

"  And  what  does  mother  say  ?  " 

"  About  what  ?  "  evasively. 

"  About  the  correspondence." 

"Mother  —  mother  hasn't  been  consulted." 

"  Helen ! " 

"Are    you    going   to    play    mother?       If    you 
are " 

"  No,  but  I'm  your  chaperon.     I  think  I'd  bet- 
ter read  the  letter." 

"  Certainty,"  handing  it  over. 

"No,  no,  dear;  I'm  only  joking." 

"Wait,  I'll  read  it " 

"Tell  me  about  him  instead." 

"Well,  he's  big  and  nice,  and  —  and  I  met  him 
in  New  York  a  year  ago  this  winter." 

"Rich?" 

"  I  don't  know.       He's  very  ambitious.       He's 
going  to  do  a  great  deal  in  —  in  railroads " 

"  Oh,  you  and  he  discuss  his  prospects  ?  " 

"Yes,"  hesitatingly;  "that  is,  I've  talked  with 

him,  you  know,  about " 

45 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"Himself?" 

"Well,  why  not?"  looking  up  at  her  guiltily. 

"  Nothing  could  be  more  interesting,  I  should 
gather,"  and  Lucy  smiled  somewhat  quizzically 
and  altogether  kindly  upon  her  fair  guest.  "  Tell 
me  some  more." 

"You'll  laugh." 

"  Not  for  worlds." 

"Well,  we've  talked  now  and  then " 

"  Just  to  use  up  the  time,  I  suppose " 

"Lucy  Braveur,  I  won't  tell  you  a  word  unless 
you  stop  laughing!"  The  sleepiness  was  all  gone 
and  the  bright  look  in  the  girl's  eyes,  the  quick- 
ened rise  and  fall  of  the  lace  at  her  throat  told  so 
much — so  much  to  the  other  girl,  hardly  older 
than  herself,  who  had  poured  the  coffee  for  some- 
one else  each  morning  for  several  years  now. 

"  Dear  heart,  tell  me  all  about  it,"  said  she, 
taking  the  girl's  hand  in  hers  and  moving  her 
chair  nearer.  "  That's — this  is  why  I  asked 
him." 

There  came  a  little  nervous  laugh  and  a  flush 
on  the  girl's  face  as  she  hesitated. 

"  Why,  there's  nothing  to  tell  —  except  "  — 
46 


A   BOX   OF    MATCHES 

and  gradually  she  spoke  faster  and  less  self-con- 
sciously —  "  except  that  he  has  such  splendid  ideas 
about    running    railroads,    and    the    men,    and  — 
Lucy,  he  could  work  with  the  men  so  that  there'd 
never  be  a  strike." 

"  Goodness  me ! "  exclaimed  Lucy,  raising  her 
eyebrows  in  affected  wonder.  "  All  that  ?  " 

"Yes,"  said  the  girl,  too  much  interested  to 
watch  closely,  "  and  if  he  can  only  put  some  things 
through,  they'll  see  —  they'll  see,  those  people, 
what  —  Lucy,  you  said  you  wouldn't " 

"  I'm  not  laughing,  child !  Tell  me,  do  you 
never  talk  of  anything  but  —  but  railroads?" 

"  Oh,  yes,  sometimes.  He  has  very  peculiar 
ideas  about  money." 

"Wouldn't  marry  for  money,  for  instance?" 

"  Not  by  any  means." 

"  Of  course  not ;  but  I  suppose  a  certain  papa 
could  be  persuaded  to  leave  his  money  to  an  asylum 
for  other  lunatics  ?  " 

"  Papa  has  nothing  to  do  with  it ! "  sniffed  the 
railroad  student. 

"  Apparently    not,"    mused   Lucy.     "  I " 

"  There's  nothing  personal  in  the  talk.     He  is 
47 


bound  to  make  his  own  way.  He's  going  into 
politics  when  —  when " 

"When  he's  settled  the  railroad  question?" 

"How  silly,  Lucy  —  when  he's  studied  men 
more." 

"Apparently  he's  been  studying  women  pretty 
closely." 

"You  goose!  He's  perfectly  sincere  and  so  — 
so  sensible " 

"And  the  letter — is  it  about  railroads  or 
politics  ?  " 

The  letter  was  suddenly  held  tightly  in  the 
girl's  right  hand. 

"  Oh,  well,  not  all."  And  away  went  the  bright 
colour  racing  over  cheeks  and  brow  —  the  colour 
that  never  yet  failed  to  make  woman's  face 
wonderful. 

"  Tell  me  about  it,  Helen  dear,"  said  her  friend, 
putting  her  arms  around  the  girl  and  turning  up 
the  chin  that  had  drooped  a  little. 

"  I  can't !  "  she  murmured. 

"Yes  you  can.  I'll  never  tell  —  and  I'd  —  I'd 
love  so  to  hear." 

"Why  —  why  —  read  the  letter."  And  the 
48 


A    BOX   OF    MATCHES 

crumpled  bit  of  paper  was  thrust  into  her  hands. 
Lucy  opened  it  and  read: 

I've  got  something  to  tell  you — something  important. 
And  Mrs.  Braveur — God  bless  her! — has  given  me  the 
chance  by  asking  me  down  for  the  week.  I'll  get  into 
Naugatuck  at  4:16  and  come  right  to  the  house.  I  want  to 
see  you  alone  and  tell  you.  You'll  understand.  I've  got 
to  tell  you  now.  I  can't  wait.  Will  you  be  interested  to 
hear? 

"Helen,  darling!  I'm  so  glad  —  so  glad!" 
And  she  put  her  arms  around  the  girl  and  kissed 
her. 

"  Gee,  my  turn  next ! "  cried  a  hearty  voice. 

"  Jim,  go  away !  "  cried  his  wife. 

"  But  I've  got  to  have  some  breakfast." 

"Go  away  this " 

"Lucy,  dear,"  said  Helen,  coming  to  herself, 
"  the  poor  man  must  eat,  and  after  all  it's  his 
breakfast."  Braveur  meantime  calmly  sat  down 
at  the  head  of  the  table. 

"What's  up?"  he  asked  blandly. 

"  You  are,  at  last,"  said  his  wife. 

"I  believe  I  did  doze  off  a  little,"  he  acknowl- 
edged. 

49 


A   BOX   OF    MATCHES 

"  A  little!     Do  you  know  it's  after  ten  now?  " 

"And  from  my  reception  by  you  two  I  gather 
I  got  up  too  early  at  that.  Still,  I'm  glad  to  see 
you,  you  know." 

Mrs.  Braveur  rose. 

"Come,  Helen,  let's  leave  him.  He'll  talk  till 
luncheon."  And  they  went  upstairs  together, 
Lucy's  arm  about  the  girl. 


IX 


THERE  -was  some  doubt  about  a  certain  young 
person's  nerves.  She  did  not  seem  over-attentive 
at  luncheon  and  the  inevitable  woman  in  Mrs. 
Braveur  did  much  to  leave  her  to  herself.  After 
luncheon  some  of  the  people  went  out  to  skate, 
and  the  rest  disappeared  here  and  there  doing 
what  they  liked.  Finally  the  hostess  found  her 
charge  trying  to  read  in  the  library. 

"  Helen." 
"  "Yes,  dear?" 

"You  —  you  are  to  have  tea  at  half  -past  four 
in  Jim's  study  upstairs." 

The  girl  got  up  and  silently  kissed  her. 

"  Jim's  going  to  try  four  horses  to  the  big  sleigh 
and  there's  no  danger  of  our  getting  back  before 
half  -past  five." 

Again  the  flushed  cheek  touched  hers. 

"In   fact,   with  such  a  turnout,   there's   more 
danger  that  we  won't  get  back  at  all  -  " 
51 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"  You're  so  sweet,  dear." 

"You  wouldn't  mind  if  we  didn't?" 

"  Lucy ! " 

"Now  run  along  upstairs  and  put  on  the 
prettiest  frock  you've  got  in  the  whole  world,  and 
see  that " 

But  she  was  talking  to  the  large  and  roomy 
library. 

Helen,  smiling  openly  now,  went  about  gather- 
ing her  tea-gown  and  making  her  toilet.  Every 
now  and  then  a  bit  of  song  sounded  in  the  room 
hummed  softly  through  closed  lips.  Once  she 
stopped  at  the  bureau,  opened  a  drawer  and  re- 
read a  crumpled  note.  Then  she  sat  before  the 
dressing-table  to  do  up  her  hair.  One  coil  was  in 
place  when  the  dreamy  smile  came  back  and  the 
chin  came  down  on  two  palms.  There  she  sat,  her 
elbows  on  the  table,  musing  and  watching  her  face 
in  the  glass.  Sitting  so,  she  suddenly  flushed 
crimson.  Then  the  smile  broadened  and  she  sat 
up,  laughing  as  she  finished. 

Her  watch  registered  a  quarter  past  four  as  she 
stood  taking  a  last  critical  look  at  herself  in  the 
mirror.  The  reflection  seemed  to  dissatisfy  her 

52 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

and  she  re-arranged  the  lace  on  the  front  of  her 
gown,  touched  her  hair  here  and  there,  and  then 
turning  to  the  door,  stood  for  a  moment  with  her 
hand  on  the  knob.  There  was  a  sudden  catch  in 
her  breath  —  then  she  moved  slowly  along  the  hall 
to  the  study. 

The  sound  of  a  sleigh  in  the  drive,  the  closing 
of  a  door  downstairs,  and  the  maid  stood  before 
her. 

"Mr.  Endicott,  Miss,  is " 

"  Here  I  am,"  cried  a  vigorous  voice.  "  I 
didn't  wait  —  I  couldn't!"  Then  suddenly  the 
man  stopped,  his  eyes  fixed  on  the  fair  girl  sitting 
there  in  the  fading  light,  the  white  gown  and 
brown  hair  set  off  against  a  large  red  leather  chair. 
He  drew  in  his  breath  suddenly  and  swallowed. 

"How  do  you  do?" 

"  Splendid ! "  said  he,  waking  from  a  momentary 
daze.  "  Did  you  get  my  note  ?  " 

"Yes. — Annette,  can  we  have  some  tea? — Where 
have  you  come  from  now?"  The  girl,  after  all, 
was  the  calmer. 

"From  town.  I  couldn't  come  yesterday  — 
too  busy." 

53 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"  I  didn't  know  you  were  coming  at  all  until  I 
got  your  note." 

"Didn't  Mrs.  Braveur  tell  you?" 

"  No." 

"  Well  it  was  mighty  good  of  her  to  ask  me." 

"  She's  a  dear." 

"  And  when  you  wrote  me  you  were  coming  here, 
I  wanted  to  come  bad." 

"Did  you  really?" 

Again  the  man  sitting  opposite  gazed  at  her. 
Indeed  he  could  not  take  his  eyes  off  her. 

"  It's  very  good  to  see  you  again.  Do 
you  know  I  haven't  laid  eyes  on  you  for  two 
;weeks." 

"  Goodness,  what  a  long  time ! "  smilingly. 

"What's  that  you're  doing?" 

"A  table  cover." 

"Well,  put  it  down,  please,  and  —  and  look  at 
me." 

She  laid  the  work  in  her  lap  and  looked  up  at 
him  with  shining  eyes  for  a  moment,  and  then 
seeing  in  his  something  that  made  her  let  her  own 
fall,  she  took  up  the  work  again. 

"Don't,"  said  he,  leaning  forward  and  gently 
54 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

taking  the  frame  out  of  her  hand.        "Talk  to 
me." 

There  was  a  moment  of  silence  while  Annette 
brought  in  the  tea  things.  Then  she  left  them 
alone  with  the  darkening  room  lighted  only  by  the 
wood  fire. 

"Are  you  glad  to  see  me  —  Helen  —  may  I  call 
you  Helen  ?  " 

"  Yes,"  she  said  presently,  bending  over  the 
kettle. 

"Which?" 

"  I'm  glad  to  see  you." 

"And  the  other?" 

"What  do  you  think?" 

"  I  think  Helen  is  such  a  bully  name  it's  a  pity 
not  to  use  it." 

"  But  you  don't  —  it  isn't  quite  —  I'm  afraid  — " 

"  It's  all  right.  Those  arguments  don't  amount 
to  that!  " 

"  I  didn't  make  any  arguments " 

"  Oh,  then,  I  can  call  you  Helen." 

"  No,  I  don't  think  you'd  better." 

"I  don't  care  what  you  think." 

"What!" 

55 


A    BOX   OF    MATCHES 

"I  mean  it  suits  you  so  well.  You're  just  like 
a  beautiful  Helen  this  moment.  You'd  set  any 
nation  fighting  for  you."  And  still  he  looked  at 
her  as  if  he  had  never  seen  her  before. 

"  Well  now  I  will  lay  down  the  law." 

"Yes,  your  majesty." 

"  You  will  call  me  Miss  Gardner." 

"Oh,  now-    -" 

"It's  an  order." 

"Yes,  your  sweet  majesty." 

"And  then  you  will  get  on  some  other  subject 
than  myself." 

"  I  can't." 

"Try." 

"  I  don't  want  to." 

"What  do  you  mean?"  pouring  tea  with  great 
care,  though  the  cups  and  saucers  rattled  a  little. 

"I  mean  that  you  are  so  beautiful,  so  beauti- 
ful  " 

"Stop  it,  sir!" 

"An  order?" 

"Yes." 

"Very  well,  your  majesty." 

"  Now  go  on." 

56 


A    BOX   OF    MATCHES 


"  So  beautiful 


"  I  said  stop,"  laughed  the  girl  merrily. 

"You  said  to  go  on." 

"  I  meant  on  something  else." 

"What's  the  use  of  anything  else?" 

"A  great  deal  of  use." 

"What,  for  example?" 

"Your  work,  for  one  example." 

He  passed  his  hand  over  his  eyes  as  if  to  clear 
his  vision. 

"  Yes,  that's  so." 

"Is  it  going  well?" 

"Well?     It   couldn't  do  better.        Helen,  I've 
got  something  to  tell  you.     Will  you  listen  ?  " 

She  did  not  reply,  but  the  white  gown  rose  and 
fell  suddenly  at  her  throat. 

"Shall  I  tell  you?" 

"  If  you  like  to,"  murmured  the  girl. 

"  The   knowledge    of   it    came    so   suddenly.     I 
could  not  wait  to  be  with  you  to  tell  you." 

The  girl  looked  up  at  him  an  instant,  her  whole 
soul  in  her  eyes. 

"  Well  ?  "  said  she  in  a  low  voice,  again  bending 
over  the  tea-tray. 

57 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"  Why,  you  know  Parton  —  the  president  of 
the  road?" 

"Yes,"  with  a  startled  expression. 

"  He  has  had  me  made  first  vice-president ! " 
And  he  looked  up  at  her  proudly.  A  cup  dropped 
on  the  tray  and  broke  with  a  sharp  click. 

"You?" 

"  Yes.  First  vice-president  of  the  B.  M.  &  W. 
Doesn't  seem  possible,  does  it?"  And  still  he 
looked  proudly  at  her,  bending  forward,  his  hands 
on  his  knees. 

No  one  knows  what  a  woman  can  do  until  the 
impossible  is  presented  to  her.  Helen  Gardner 
said  nothing  for  an  instant  while  she  picked  up 
the  pieces  of  the  cup.  Then : 

"I'm  so  glad." 

"Not  bad,  is  it?"  said  he  a  little  shamefacedly. 

"  It's  splendid."  In  her  natural  voice  now.  "  Can 
I  tell  it?" 

"Not  yet.  I  wanted  to  tell  you  first  — 
Helen " 

"  You  mustn't,  really ! "  said  she,  smiling  a  little 
sadly. 

"Why  not?" 

58 


A   BOX   OF    MATCHES 

"  Because  you  don't  know  me  well  enough.  But 
the  news  is  splendid,  and  I  do  congratulate  you." 

"  I  knew  you  would.  I  —  I  think  the  moment  I 
heard  it  I  thought  first  how  it  would  please 
you." 

"Did  you?" 

"  You  see,"  said  the  man,  now  fully  in  his  sub- 
ject, "Jason  thought  he  had  it,  and  —  so  did  I. 
But  I  —  they  —  well,  you  know,  I've  worked  a 
good  deal  lately  with  Parton  and  he  put  me  in. 
That's  the  fact.  He  did  it  himself,  and  it's  mighty 
fine  of  him." 

"Yes,"  said  the  girl,  busily  working  on  the 
frame  now. 

"  Now  I  can  get  in  some  of  the  schemes  you  and 
I  have  talked  over  for  the  libraries  and  associations 
of  the  men." 

"Yes,  you  must."     Without  looking  up. 

"And  that  protective  insurance"  —  a  pause  — 
"  what's  the  matter  with  you  ?  " 

"  Nothing.  I'm  listening.  It's  splendid,  Mr. 
Endicott." 

"  It's  perfectly  immense ! "  cried  the  man  again. 
"  It's  the  chance  of  a  lifetime."  And  then  he  ran 
59 


on  minute  after  minute,  while  the  girl  sat  with  her 
eyes  on  the  work  approving  gently,  praising  and 
agreeing,  until  finally  in  the  friendly  darkness  of 
the  firelight  she  said: 

"And  now  you  must  go  and  get  ready  for 
dinner." 

"Don't  send  me  off.  I'd  rather  stay  here  with 
you." 

"  But  I'm  going  to  dress."  And  she  got  up  and 
got  out  of  the  study  and  into  her  own  room. 

Once  there  she  walked  slowly,  quietly  over  to  the 
bed  and  fell  face  downward  upon  the  pillow  sob- 
bing as  if  her  heart  would  break.  Vice-president! 
Vice-president !  What  did  she  care  for  vice- 
presidents  ? 

It  seemed  only  a  minute,  though  in  reality  it 
was  much  longer,  when  a  hurried  knock  came  at 
the  door.  She  jumped  up,  brushed  her  eyes 
quickly  with  her  hand  and  then  called  to  Mrs. 
Braveur  to  come  in. 

"Well,  dear,"  she  stopped  suddenly  in  the  mid- 
dle of  the  room.  "  Helen ! " 

"  Don't  speak  to  me ! "  whispered  the  girl,  turn- 
ing to  the  window. 

60 


"  'Helen,    I've    got    something    to    tell 
you.'  " 


"  What  is  it  ?  "  said  the  other,  running  to  her  and 
putting  her  arms  around  her. 

"I  can't  talk,  Lucy.     I-    -" 

"Helen!" 

"  I  can't !  I  can't !  You  —  you  must  leave  me 
a  little  while." 

"Helen,  dear!" 

"  Please !  please "  And  then  without 

another  word  Lucy  quietly  left  the  room.  As  the 
door  closed  the  girl  put  her  hands  to  her  throat 
with  a  pitiful  little  gesture,  and  murmured,  "  I'm 
so  ashamed!  so  ashamed!" 

So  she  stood  a  moment,  and  then  quietly  began 
to  dress. 


61 


"NED,  what's  the  matter  with  you  —  struck   a 
bonanza  ?  " 

"  Never  you  mind,  old  hoss.  I'm  all  right  and 
everything  here." 

"  You  look  as  if  you'd  reached  out  and  grasped 
something ! " 

"I'm  just  the  same,  George." 

Winthrop  looked  at  him  and  smiled. 

"Plus  something  good,  and  no  mistake.  Jim, 
glance  at  your  stalwart  guest,  I'm  thinking  he's 
pleased." 

"  He's  probably  invented  a  way  to  carry  freight 
without  cost." 

"  Or  reformed  the  great  middle  class 

"  Oh,  dry  up,"  laughed  Endicott.  "  You're  a 
lazy  sporting  crowd,  and  if  anybody  gets  inter- 
ested in  anything,  you  guy  him." 

"  We  must  get  some  amusement ! " 

"All  right!  all  right!  go  on.     You  can't  touch 
62 


A   BOX   OF    MATCHES 

me."  And  Mrs.  Braveur  came  down  the  stairs  into 
the  hall  where  they  stood.  She  left  her  guests  for 
a  moment,  went  alone  into  the  dining-room  and 
changed  one  or  two  of  the  cards.  Then  she 
returned  to  the  hall. 

"  Jim,  take  in  Eleanor  —  you  and  Edith,  George 
—  Mr.  Endicott,  will  you  take  me?"  And  so  on 
till  they  all  went  in  —  twelve  of  them. 

"  How'd  the  four  go,  Jim  ?  "  asked  Winthrop  as 
the}7  sat  down. 

"Pretty  well  for  a  sleigh,  but  they  didn't  know 
what  they  had  behind  them  and  kind  of  wriggled 
'round  a  bit.  By  the  way,  Miss  Gardner,  I  thought 
you  were  coming?" 

"  I  didn't  feel  over-well,  and  anyway  it's  too 
cold." 

"  I  forbade  her,"  said  Lucy  quickly.  Then  to 
Endicott  as  the  others  talked  on,  she  said,  "Yes, 
I'm  delighted  you  could  come." 

"  So  was  I.  And  it's  mighty  good  of  you  to  ask 
me.  I  had  a  special  desire  to " 

"See  Miss  Gardner?" 

"Why  —  why,  yes.  Come,  how'd  you  know?" 
a  little  shamefacedly. 

63 


A   BOX   OF    MATCHES 

"  Hostesses  know  everything." 

"And  did  you  know  I  had  something  I  wanted 
to  tell  her?" 

"  I  guessed  it." 

"Well,  I  did." 

"Did  you  tell  her?" 

"  Yes." 

"  And  she  was  pleased  ?  " 

"  She  was.  I  tell  you,  Mrs.  Braveur,  Helen 
Gardner  is  a  mighty  —  a  very " 

"Nice  girl?" 

"  More  than  that  —  a  good  deal  more.  She's 
done  a  great  deal  —  that  is  I've  bored  her  with  my 
hopes  a  good  deal.  I  never  talked  with  anyone  as 
I  have  with  her  and  she  —  she  knows  a  lot." 

"  She  does  indeed ! "  said  Lucy,  looking  at  him 
fixedly. 

"  She  knows  more  than  I  ever  will." 

"  I  haven't  a  doubt  of  it."  She  had  been  watch- 
ing him  closely  since  sitting  down.  She  was  think- 
ing and  guessing  fast. 

"You  know  you  women  are  wonderful." 

"All  of  us?" 

"Well,  Miss  Gardner  and  you  anyway  — 
64 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"  Thank  you  for  including  me,"  smiling. 

"  You  understand  men  so  well." 

"  Better  than  you  understand  yourselves,  I 
fancy." 

"  I  shouldn't  wonder.  You  see  —  I  —  I  —  you 
won't  mind,  will  you  ?  " 

"  I  don't  know  till  I  hear." 

"Well,  you  see,  I've  had  a  big  streak  of  luck, 
the  greatest  thing  in  the  world  —  I  don't  deserve 
it " 

"Oh,  now!" 

"  No,  really.  And  she's  been  so  clear-headed  in 
talking  over  things  with  me  that  when  this  big 
appointment  —  you  mustn't  tell  ?  " 

"  Never ! " 

"  That  when  this  appointment  —  and  it  is  a 
big  one  —  came  to  me  I  wanted  her  to  know  it 
first." 

"  And  so  you  wrote  her  about  it?  " 

"How'd  you  know?" 

"  I  can  guess." 

"Yes,  but " 

"  She  got  a  note  from  you  —  fact  one ;  I  knew 
you  were  coming  this  afternoon  —  fact  two;  she 
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A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

said  she  would  stay  at  home  —  fact  three.     Per- 
fectly simple,  isn't  it  ?  " 

"That's  it!  Just  what  I  said!  You  know  more 
in  a  minute  than  a  dozen  men  in  a  year." 

"And  you  men  can't  see  a  large  lighted  candle 
two  feet  away  in  the  dark ! " 

"That's  an  effective  simile,  anyway."  And  he 
laughed  at  her. 

"It's  true." 

"  Oh,  now,  I  could  see  some  things." 

"  I  don't  believe  it." 

"Try  me." 

Then  she  began  in  earnest. 

"Well,  for  example,  you  talked  to  Helen  for  an 
hour " 

"Nearly  two." 

"  Very  well.  You  did  not  notice,  I  suppose,  that 
she  was  ill." 

"111.     Good  Heavens,  is  she  ill?" 

"  There !  there !  Don't  talk  so  loud.  And  yet  I 
could  see  it  as  plain  as  day,  and  can  now." 

He  turned  to  look  at  the  girl  who  was  talking 
and  smiling  at  her  neighbour.  He  hesitated  a 
moment. 

66 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"  She  looks  to  me  —  that  is,  I  should  say  she's 
all  right." 

"  Of  course,  I  am  merely  proving  to  you  that 
she  is  ill." 

"Really?" 

"  Physically  ?    Oh,  no,"  contemptuously. 

"  I  don't  understand." 

"  I  mean  there  is  something  worrying  her !  " 

"  Good  Heavens,  Mrs.  Braveur,  she  oughtn't  — 
she  can't  have  anything  to  worry  her.  No  breath 
of  harm  should  ever  come  near  her." 

"Well,  there  has  some  harm  come."  And  she 
could  have  laughed  out  at  the  new  expression  that 
appeared  on  his  face. 

"What  is  it?"  he  asked  a  little  huskily.  "Can 
I " 

"Oh,  I'm  only  proving  to  you  that  men  can't 
see  anything.  Now  I'll  give  you  another  example. 
There's  Eleanor  Winthrop " 

"  Mrs.  Braveur,  forgive  me.  There  can't  be 
anything  causing  her  grief " 

"Who?     Eleanor?" 

"  No,  no !  Miss  Gardner." 

"  Oh,  never  mind  her.     Take  another " 

67 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"  But  I  do  mind,"  said  he  quickly,  the  new  fear 
growing  on  his  frank  face.  Even  Lucy  Braveur 
felt  a  little  pang  of  compunction,  but  she  went 
steadfastly  on.  "  I'd  do  anything  in  the  world  to 
keep  sorrow  away  from  her." 

"You?" 

"That  is  — yes,  why  not?" 

"  Good  gracious !  how  silly !  you  might  help  a 
railroad  out  of  a  strike,  but  you  couldn't  help  a 
girl  out  of  such  a  difficulty." 

"  Tell  me  what  it  is,"  cried  he  eagerly. 

"  I  can't,"  said  she,  looking  away.  "  It  wouldn't 
be  fair." 

"  I  give  you  TLJ  word  no  one  shall  know." 

"Can't  you  guess?" 

"  Guess,  how  could  I  ?  " 

"  Of  course.     You're  a  man.     I  forgot." 

"  Don't  play  with  me.  I  —  I'm  more  than 
serious,"  and  in  good  truth  his  face  showed  it. 

"  Promise  never  to  tell  ?  " 

"Never,  really!" 

"Well,  I'm  only  guessing  —  but  I  know,  too. 
That's  what  a  woman  always  knows." 

"  Yes,"  breathlessly. 

68 


"  It's  something  like  this,"  and  she  leaned  over 
toward  him,  sending  up  a  little  silent  prayer  to  be 
forgiven  her  sin.  His  eyes  were  fixed  on  the  girl 
nearly  opposite  him,  "  Somebody  wants  to  marry 
her " 

"Marry  her!" 

"Yes,  why  not?" 

"Marry  Tier?" 

She  laughed  nervously  at  the  exclamation  and 
the  extraordinary  look  in  the  eyes  that  never 
moved  from  the  girl's  all-unconscious  face. 

"Why  not?  But  be  careful.  There  are  several 
women  at  this  table  who  can  —  er  —  make  guesses. 

And  your  eyes  at  this  moment "    He  suddenly 

put  his  elbow  on  the  table  and  covered  his  eyes  with 
his  hand. 

"Well?"  said  he  presently  in  a  very  different 
tone. 

"  I  make  a  guess  that  she  doesn't  know  what  to 
do  and  that  she's  suffering  now  —  all  the  time." 

"  Lucy,"  asked  Mrs.  Alton,  "  stop  talking  to 
Mr.  Endicott  and  tell  me  if  that  novel  you  told  me 
about  just  before  dinner  is  in  the  house." 

"What  was  that?"  asked  Mrs.  Braveur. 
69 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"  That  awful  story  about  the  girl  that  wouldn't 
marry  the  man!" 

"  Jingo !  it  must  have  been  awful,"  said  Win- 
throp  in  mock  amazement. 

"  Lucky  man,"  murmured  Braveur. 

"  It  was  dreadful,  really,"  said  Mrs.  Alton,  not 
deigning  to  notice  the  side  remarks.  "  I  want  to 
read  it." 

"  Never  mind  reading  it,"  said  Winthrop,  "  let's 
have  the  tale  now." 

"  I  can't  remember  all  of  it.  In  fact,  Lucy 
didn't  tell  me  all  of  it." 

"Please  tell  us  how  the  man  escaped,"  pleaded 
Ben  Alton. 

"Anything  about  married  men  getting  —  get- 
ting " 

"  Jim,  dear !  Some  of  us  are  married  here,"  said 
his  wife. 

"Do  tell  us!" 

"Why,  it's  only  a  story  I  read  somewhere  of  a 
girl  who  agreed  after  —  after  much  urging,  to  run 
away  and  marry  a  man.  And  then  when  the  night 
came  she  couldn't " 

"Why  not?" 

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A   BOX   OF    MATCHES 

"  She  thought  it  all  over  and  decided  that  a  man 
who  would  ask  her  to  run  away  and  marry  against 
her  parents'  wishes  and  put  her  in  a  bad  light 
before  society  was  not  the  kind  of  a  man  to 
marry." 

"  Girl's  an  idiot,"  said  Winthrop. 

Endicott  began  to  hear  now.  There  are  times, 
they  say,  when  a  man's  mind  travels  millions  of 
miles  in  an  instant.  Ned  Endicott  had  been  beat- 
ing thought-records  for  the  past  few  seconds.  He 
had  travelled  back  over  two  years,  jumped  about 
here  and  there,  quite  contrary  to  railroad  schedule, 
remembering,  thinking,  seeing  thousands  of  things 
under  a  new  light.  He  had  jumped  ahead  a  life- 
time and  travelled  back  second  by  second  through  it 
all,  and  then  he  had  tried  another  life  with  some- 
body else  and  spent  years  along  the  way.  Finally 
he  woke  up  after  less  than  a  second  and  felt  a 
quick  pressure  on  his  arm.  And  then  his  face 
slowly  closed  like  a  book  that  had  been  opened. 

"  Girl's  an  idiot,"  said  Winthrop. 

"  I  don't  think  so  at  all,"  exclaimed  Mrs.  Alton. 
"  She  did  quite  right.  But  think  of  the  man  and 
his  thoughts." 

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A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"Well,  he  was  out  of  a  bad  fix,"  said  Braveur; 
"  any  girl  who  says  one  thing  and  does  another 
would  make  a  poor  wife." 

"  I  don't  believe  she  gave  a  rap  for  him  at  any 
time,"  said  Winston. 

"  How  idiotic !  I  can  imagine  it  perfectly."  And 
Mrs.  Braveur  trembled  a  little.  "What  do  you 
say,  Eleanor?" 

"  Why,  I  can  imagine  a  girl  thinking  it  out  and 
believing  that  a  —  a  love  affair  begun  in  deception 
could  never  be  really  a  happy  one." 

"Exactly,"  cried  Mrs.  Alton. 

"  And  you,  Mr.  Endicott  ?  "  asked  Lucy. 

"The  man  was  a  selfish  beast,  so  far  as  I  can 
see." 

"  That's  a  new  one ! "  laughed  Braveur.  "  Why 
selfish?" 

"  Because  he  was  apparently — Heaven  knows  I 
never  heard  the  story  —  but  he  was  only  thinking 
of  himself.  Never  gave  a  thought  of  the  bad  light 
he  would  put  the  girl  in  everywhere : 

"  Ned,  you  ought  to  run  a  Sunday-school." 

"Not  a  bit  of  it.  A  man  who  gets  a  girl  to 
elope  is  a  cheap  John,  anyway." 

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A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"Bravo!"  cried  Mrs.  Winthrop.  "The  girl 
was  quite  right  in  staying  at  home." 

"Helen,  what's  your  view?"  asked  Mrs.  Alton. 

"  The  girl  couldn't  have  loved  the  man,"  said 
she  quietly. 

"  Stuff !  "  said  Braveur. 

"Why?"  asked  two  women  at  once. 

"  Because  if  she  had,  she'd  have  gone  with  him 
at  any  time." 

"  The  Maiden's  Dream ! "  murmured  Braveur. 

Endicott  was  still  travelling  back  and  forward 
over  the  same  ground  at  a  nerve-straining  pace 
while  they  talked  on.  Then  in  a  low  voice  he  said: 

"Mrs.  Braveur?" 

"Yes?"  guiltily. 

"Is  —  is  Miss  Gardner  —  er  —  she's  engaged?" 

"What!" 

"You  said  Miss  Gardner  was  engaged?" 

"  I  ?     Goodness  me,  no,  not  that  I  know  of." 

"  I  mean  you  said  she  was  ill." 

"  Oh,  yes.  I'd  forgotten.  I  was  giving  you  an 
example,  wasn't  I  ?  " 

"  Of  the  wit  of  woman  in  seeing  things." 

"Yes,  yes,"  nervously. 
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A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"Well?" 

"Oh,  I  only  spoke  of  that  because  I  could  see 
what  was  going  on." 

"Is  it  true?" 

"  I'm  as  sure  of  it  as  if  she  had  told  me  the 
whole  story.  But  you  promised  not  to  tell  —  you 
mustn't  forget  that!" 

"Never  fear."  She  was  a  little  scared  at  the 
expression  in  his  voice.  "Is  she  really  engaged?" 

"  You  stupid !  If  she  were  engaged  she  wouldn't 
be  sick  and  worried  to  death,  would  she  ?  " 

"  No,  you're  right.     She  wouldn't,  would  she  ?  " 

"I  believe  even  Jim  would  have  seen  that." 

Then,  really  afraid  of  what  she  had  done,  she 
turned  to  Alton  and  began  talking  fast  about  the 
woman  who  wouldn't  run  away. 

Endicott  sat  looking  at  the  girl  nearly  opposite 
him  for  a  few  moments.  Then  his  jaw  set.  He 
was  no  weak  fool,  this  son  of  man.  He  took  a  card 
from  his  pocket  and  holding  it  concealed  in  the 
palm  of  his  hand,  wrote  with  his  pencil  upon  it,  "  I 
love  you.  Will  you  marry  me?"  and  folded  it 
carefully. 

Then  glancing  at  Mrs.  Braveur,  he  motioned  to 
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A   BOX   OF    MATCHES 

the  butler.     The  man  came  quietly.     Nobody  saw. 
Endicott  put  the  paper  in  his  hand. 

"You  see  that  lady  —  the  second  on  the  other 
side?" 

"Yes,  sir." 

"The  one  in  white?" 

"Yes,  sir." 

"  Give  her  this  note  now." 

He  watched  the  man  go  around  the  table  —  saw 
him  approach  her.  Mrs.  Braveur  started  to  rise 
as  a  signal  for  the  women  to  go. 

He  saw  the  butler  stand  behind  Helen,  saw  her 
turn  in  surprise  and  take  the  card. 

She  opened  it,  glanced  at  it,  and  even  he  could 
see  a  sudden  quiver  go  all  through  her  and  as 
quickly  disappear.  Slowly  she  tore  up  the  card  in 
little  pieces  and  rose  as  the  others  did. 

The  man  held  his  breath  and  clenched  his  fists, 
following  her  with  his  eyes  as  she  moved  around 
the  table.  Slowly  she  came  on.  She  must  pass 
near  him  as  he  stood  by  the  door.  It  seemed  as  if 
he  could  not  wait. 

On  she  came,  her  eyes  on  the  ground. 

She  reached  him  and  passed  out  last. 
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A   BOX   OF    MATCHES 

Endicott's  heart  sank.  He  felt  a  sickening 
misery  in  his  chest. 

Suddenly  she  stopped  —  turned  back  and  looked 
at  him  an  instant  with  shining  eyes,  and  then 
turning  to  the  butler  who  was  closing  the  door  said 
softly,  but  so  that  one  other  could  hear: 

"  You  may  tell  the  gentleman  '  Yes,'  John." 


XI 


JlM,  dear,  where  are  you  going?  " 

"I'm  bound  for  Barnard's,  to  work  on  some 
hunters  for  next  summer." 

"Do  you  know  what  happened  last  week  down 
at  Naugatuck  ?  " 

"  Probably  not  what  you  know.  Ned  Endicott 
lost  eighty  dollars  at  bridge  without  a  murmur. 
I  knew  he  wouldn't  weaken,  but  to  tell  the  truth  I 
never  saw  him  play  before." 

"  I  don't  wonder  he  played." 

"Why?" 

"I  made  him  marry  a  girl  he  didn't  have  any 
idea  of  marrying." 

"Lucy,  you  are  certainly  going  crazy  on  the 
matrimonial  question." 

"Well,  he  was  so  stupid,  and  I  knew  he  only 
needed  waking  up,"  and  then  she  told  him  how  it 
all  happened. 

There  was  no  use  trying  to  keep  it.  Jim  couldn't. 
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A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

And  so  by  the  time  the  June  wedding  came  off 
everybody  knew  it,  and  all  through  the  summer 
down  at  Naugatuck,  where  the  young  couple 
settled,  Endicott  could  scarcely  go  to  a  dinner  with- 
out having  a  waiter  bring  up  a  card  from  one  man 
or  another  with  something  unprintable  written 
upon  it. 

One  night  in  October  a  half  dozen  men  just 
returned  from  a  long  run  with  the  Naugatuck 
hounds  sat  around  the  big  room  of  the  club  talk- 
ing the  day's  spin  over.  Somebody  ordered 
drinks. 

When  Endicott's  arrived  with  the  others,  there 
—  sticking  in  the  glass  —  was  a  card. 

He  did  not  even  open  it,  but  quietly  thre\v  it  in 
the  fire  and  turned  to  one  of  the  others. 

"  Sedley,  you  idiot,  that's  the  twentieth  time 
you've  done  that.  Shall  I  order  a  round  of  bever- 
ages again,  or  are  you  at  last  getting  tired  cf  con- 
suming liquid  at  my  expense  on  that  stale  and 
unprofitable  joke?" 

"  All  right,  old  man,  no  offence,  but " 

"You  want  to  get  married  yourself?" 

"What!" 

78 


"  Because  if  you  do,  you  might  try  this  as  the 
last  resort.  It  has  worked,  you  know." 

This  time  the  laugh  was  on  the  other  man,  and 
so  the  joke  dropped. 

"Well,  I'm  for  home,"  said  Sedley  presently  as 
he  rose  from  the  circle  around  the  fire. 

"What's  the  rush,  Tom?"  asked  Endicott. 
"  There's  still  one  to  come  on  me." 

"  Oh,  I'm  tired.  That  was  a  long  run  this  after- 
noon." 

"  Stay  here  and  dine,"  said  someone. 

"  Put  up  with  us  and  I'll  give  you  a  dinner," 
said  Braveur. 

"  No  —  no !  I  go  to  '  my  sweet,  my  highland 
home,' "  and  he  backed  up  to  the  fire  with  one  tail 
of  his  riding-coat  on  either  arm  and  his  hands 
thrust  into  his  pockets. 

"  We've  got  a  fair  charmer,  who'll  draw  you  out 
of  bachelorhood,"  urged  Braveur,  smiling. 

"  Jim,"  said  Sedley  reproachfully  as  he  turned 
to  touch  a  button  in  the  wall,  "Jim,  don't  try  to 
fill  me  up  with  matrimony.  I  know  the  head  of 
your  family  too  well.  She'd  have  me  married 
within  a  week.  No,  I'm  happy.  I've  got  a 

79 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

home Otto,  ask  the  stable  boy  to  send  up 

Khartoun." 

"  It's  a  most  ridiculous  thing  —  that  house  on 
the  hill  all  alone  and  no  girl  to " 

"Hang  her  petticoats  in  my  closets?  Not  on 
your  life,  Jimmy ! "  laughed  the  bachelor  as  he 
pulled  on  his  gloves  and  made  for  the  door. 

"  There's  an  extra  run  day  after  to-morrow 
with  the  new  hounds.  Will  you  be  down  ?  " 

"  Yes  —  about  ten  ?    All  right !     So  long ! " 

Outside  he  mounted  Khartoun  and  the  two  tired 
beings,  with  mud  on  fetlock  and  riding-boot, 
jogged  off  into  the  twilight.  The  last  red  of  the 
autumn  day  was  close  down  in  the  west  and  little 
clouds  like  pink  balloons  came  scurrying  out  of 
the  north  with  the  crisp  wind.  All  the  hills  stood 
black  against  the  sky  as  they  wound  up  the  wooded 
road  for  five  good  miles.  Then  a  light  from  a 
window,  a  bit  of  clear  avenue,  and  Sedley  pulled 
up  at  the  door  of  his  house,  pausing  a  moment  to 
look  out  over  the  woods  and  the  sea,  now  darkening 
into  the  early  October  night. 


80 


XII 


SEDLEY  turned  the  knob  and  went  into  a  gen- 
erous room 

"  Heavens  preserve  us ! "  he  muttered. 

There  at  the  further  end  of  the  room,  on  a 
lounge  before  a  fire  —  there  in  his  house  —  sat  a 
young  woman  in  riding  habit  and  three-cornered 
hat  calmly  pouring  a  cup  of  tea  and  tossing  bits 
of  toast  to  two  —  his  two  —  shaggy  stag-hounds. 

Through  the  double  doors  from  the  dining- 
room  came  a  trim  little  maid.  Sedley  raised  a 
warning  finger  and  stood  watching  the  operation. 
In  a  moment  the  dogs  sat  up  and  looked  at  him  and 
the  girl  instinctively  turned. 

"Don't  get  up! — please! — Do  sit  down  again! 

I "  And  he  stopped  for  want  of  something 

to  say,  while  the  colour  spread  over  the  girl's  face 
as  he  moved  toward  the  fire. 

"I  —  I  hope  you  won't  mind  —  I  had  to ! " 

"  May  I  have  some  tea  ?  "  he  asked  so  plaintively 
81 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

that  she  could  not  help  smiling  as  he  sank  into  a 
big  leather  chair. 

"No  doubt,  since  it's  your  tea  —  sugar?" 

"Two  lumps." 

He  did  not  take  his  eyes  from  her  for  fear  she 
might  fade  away. 

"You  won't  think  me  un  —  un  —  I  didn't 
know " 

"  I'll  explain.  You  are  a  maiden  of  colonial  days 
with  your  cocked  hat,  riding  afield,  and  I  —  I'm 
-well,  I'm-    -" 

"You're  a  bachelor  in  the  twentieth  century 
and  your  name  is  Sedley." 

"Do  you  mind?" 

She  smiled  at  his  apologetic  tone. 

"  How  do  you  know  who  I  am  ?  " 

"Well,  in  the  first  place,"  laughing  in  spite  of 
herself,  "  there  isn't  one  single  thing  in  all  this 
beautiful  room  that  could  possibly  belong  to  a 
woman.  Then  here's  a  tobacco  box  marked 
Thomas  Sedley." 

"Maggie!" 

"  Yes,  sir,"  said  the  maid. 

"  Can  Miss  Holmes  have  some  more  toast?" 
82 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"  But  that  isn't  my  name ! "  cried  the  visitor. 

"  Oh,  yes,  it  is." 

"  But  it  isn't  any  such  thing !  My  name  is 


"Wait!  I'll  tell  you  your  story.  I  even  know 
your  family ;  I  know  your  age,  too." 

"Do  you,  really!" 

"  Certainly.  You're  Miss  Holmes  —  sister  to 
Sherlock-  -" 

"  How  silly ! " 

"And  you  have  all  the  ability  of  that  famous 
family." 

"  And  how  old  am  I,  if  you  please  ?  " 

"  You  were  born  in  1782." 

"Thank  you.     I  knew  I  looked  old,  but-    -" 

"  I  mean  you're  —  you're " 

"  It's  really  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  years." 

"You  see,  you  —  you've  preserved  your  youth 
wonderfully." 

"  I  should  hope  so." 

"  In  fact  you've  scarcely  changed  for  the  last 
hundred  and  five  years." 

"  But  I'm  sailing  under  false  colours.  Your  nice 
little  maid  told  me  your  name  and  that  you  were  a 
bachelor." 

83 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"I  knew  it!" 

"What?" 

"No  one  but  Holmes,  or  his  sister,  could  put 
two  and  two  together  that  way ! " 

"  Oh,  well,  if  you  insist  —  but  I  mustn't  stay  — 

"  Please  sit  down !     You  don't  know  how 

"  But  it  isn't  —  it  isn't  proper  for  me  to  be  here. 
Won't  you  let  me  clear  myself  ?  " 

"  Tell  me  all  about  it,"  and  he  leaned  forward. 

"  I  was  in  the  hunt  to-day,  and  way  off  here 
somewhere  Ladysmith  stumbled  and  fell,  and  I 
came  a  graceful  cropper,  broke  the  girth  and  hurt 
poor  Ladysmith's  knee." 

"  I'll  give  Ladysmith  a  big  lump  of  sugar." 

"Yes,  she's  a  dear!    You'd  love  her." 

"  I  do  now." 

"  But  you've  never  seen  her ! " 

"  Yet  she  stumbled,  you  know " 

"But " 

"  Right  near  here." 

"  How  ridiculous !  Well,  then  I  saw  this  pretty 
house  and  limped  up." 

"  You  ?  "  anxiously. 

"  I  mean  Ladysmith  —  and  rang  the  bell, 
84 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

and"  —  smiling  up  at  him  —  "asked  for  the  lady 
of  the  house " 

"Ah,  that  illusory  lady  —  that  mysterious  per- 
son—  where,  oh,  where  may  she  be?" 

"And  the  nice  little  maid  said,  "Scuse  me, 
mum,  but  there  ain't  none.'  But  she  said  I  must 
come  in,  and  she  had  Ladysmith  taken  to  the 
stable,  and  then  gave  me  this  delicious  tea."  She 
stood  up  and  smoothed  her  habit  down,  carefully 
covering  so  far  as  possible  the  little  tan  riding- 
boots. 

Sedley  got  up  hastily,  still  somewhat  dazed. 

"  Won't  you  have  some  tea  ?  " 

"  Dear  me ;  no,  thanks,  I've  had  three  cups 
already." 

"  Have  some  whis No,  no,  of  course  not ! 

Won't  you  have  —  er  —  something  ?  " 

They  stood  now  by  the  high  mantel  with  only 
the  light  of  the  fire  in  the  room. 

"  May  I  ask  one  more  favour  ?  " 

"Will  you,  please?" 

"You  haven't  any  telephone " 

"  No,  I  have  telephones  in  town.  I  won't  have 
one  here." 

85 


A   BOX   OF    MATCHES 
"And  I  can't  telephone  my  people 


"  Of  course.  I'll  hitch  up  something  and  take 
you  home." 

But  still  there  was  uncertainty,  perhaps  embar- 
rassment, in  her  face. 

"  Or  would  you  rather  ride  ?  " 

"  I  would,  really.  I  love  horses  and  this  is  so 
beautiful  —  this  cold,  dark  night," 

"  May  I  ride  down  with  you  ?  " 

"I'm  afraid  that's  the  great  favour " 

"It  is  indeed!    To  be  able  to-    -" 

"  I  mean,  it's  unfair  to  take  you  out  now,  but  I 
don't  know  the  way,  you  see.     And  would  you  — 
and  would  you  keep  Ladysmith?" 

"  Of  course." 

And  so  he  ordered  two  horses.  As  they  waited 
she  looked  about  the  room,  now  lighted  with  its 
quietly  shaded  electric  lamps. 

"  It  is  beautiful,  really !  I  don't  see  how  a  man 
can  make  it  so  pretty." 

He  led  her  to  the  dining-room.  The  table  was 
set  for  one. 

"  It  would  be  hospitable  to  ask  my  guest 


86 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"  Don't,  please ! "  said  she  quickly. 

"  Forgive  me.  I  won't,"  and  he  was  so  evidently 
sorry  that  she  smiled  forgiveness. 

"  It  is  really  too  pretty  for  anything.  No  mere 
man  deserves  it." 

"Would  you  like  to  see  —  you  know  —  how  — 
how  I  housekeep?" 

"I'd  love  to,"  and  she  went  into  the  butler's 
pantry. 

They  were  looking  at  the  clean  kitchen  —  Mag- 
gie standing  by  with  embarrassed  pride  —  when 
Sedley  stopped.  The  front  door  opened  and 
closed  and  a  cheery  masculine  voice  cried  out :  "  Oh, 
Tom ! "  "  Tom  "  murmured  something  unfit  for 
publication  and  then  turned  to  find  a  fair  but 
frightened  face  looking  up  at  him  in  dismay. 

"What  shall  we  do?"  she  whispered,  coming 
close  to  him. 

"  I  say,  Tom !    Are  you  there?  " 

"  Hello,  Ben !  I'll  be  there  in  a  moment ; "  then 
he  whispered,  "  Stay  here  till  I  come  back." 

The  girl  was  now  thoroughly  frightened.  "  It's 
dreadful!  If  he  should  see  me!  Oh,  Mr.  Sedley, 
I  —  I  —  you  won't  misunderstand,  will  you?" 

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A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

*'  Stay  in  this  room  and  wait,"  said  he  quietly. 
"And  if  you  think  I  could  misunderstand  in  the 
least,  you  aren't  very  nice  to  me,  are  you  ?  " 

"  I  know.     I  —  it's  terrible ! " 

He  made  a  sign  to  her  and  went  out  through  the 
dining-room. 

"  Say,  Tom,  I'm  on  my  way  to  the  club  after 
wandering  around  here  looking  for  a  young  woman 
who's  visiting  down  below.  Can't  find  her  —  give 
me  a  drink,  will  you?  And  send  me  on  my  way 
rejoicing." 

"  Sure,  Ben,"  said  Sedley,  cursing  the  man 
inwardly.  They  moved  over  to  the  fire.  Sedley 's 
heart  was  in  his  mouth  until  he  saw  that  Maggie 
had  taken  away  the  tea  things.  All  was  well. 

"  Hello,  what's  this  ?  "  asked  Alton,  picking  up 
a  lady's  riding  gauntlet.  "Tom!  Thomas!  who 
is  she?" 

"  Never  you  mind,  my  friend,"  and  Sedley 
choked  as  his  brain  tried  to  work  to  the  occasion. 

"Who  is  she?    Tell  me,  or-    -" 

"  Ben,  do  you  suppose  it's  impossible  for  a 
bachelor  to  secure  by  some  mysterious  means  the 
glove  of  a  fair  lady  ?  " 

88 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 


"  You  don't  mean  to  say 


''  I  mean  to  say  nothing,"  which  was  literally 
true. 

"  So  the  old  hard-shell  is  cracked  at  last !  If  I 
don't " 

"  Here,  man,  here's  your  beverage.  Drink  it," 
adding  to  himself,  "  and  may  it  choke  you."  . 

"  Well,  I'll  be  doggoned !    To  think  of  Tom  Sed- 

ley "  and  he  laughed  at  the  nervous  wreck  in 

front  of  him.     "  Say,  Tom,  did  the  fair  one  ride 
to-day?" 

"  None  of  your  business !  Will  you  stay  and 
dine?" 

"  I  can't.  I've  got  to  get  down  and  report  my 
loss.  She's  probably  at  home  now,  anyway." 

They  went  to  the  door,  and  as  Alton  mounted 
again  Sedley  called  out :  "  You're  dining  here  to- 
morrow, you  know." 

"All  right." 

"  You  and  the  Missus  and  your  houseful." 

Then  he  banged  the  door  and  sinking  into  a 
chair  wiped  his  forehead.  There  was  a  quick  step 
from  the  dining-room. 

"  Give  me  that  glove  quick ! " 
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A   BOX   OF    MATCHES 

"Why?" 

"  Quick !  quick ! "     He  gave  it  up  at  once. 

"  It's  all  right,  Miss  Holmes.     No  harm  done." 

She  seemed  suddenly  conscience-stricken  as  she 
drew  on  the  glove. 

"You've  got  yourself  into  a  terrible  scrape  to 
save  me.  I  —  I  am  very  thankful  to  you,  really." 
And  she  held  out  the  little  gauntlet.  He  was  per- 
haps'a  little  nervous  and  excited  over  what  had  just 
happened  and  that  would  explain  his  raising  it 
gently  to  his  lips. 

"There  are  the  horses,"  said  a  nervous  little 
voice. 

"  Yes,  yes ;  here  they  are " 

"Goodness  me!" 

"What's  the  matter  now?" 

"I  can't  leave  Ladysmith  here." 

"Why  not?" 

"  How  will  she  get  home  ?  " 

"  I'll  send  her  down  in  the  morning." 

"  But  how  can  I  explain?  " 

"  Dear  me,  that's  so  —  Alexander,  bring  up  that 
mare.  I'll  lead  her."  And  so  they  started  down 
the  dark  road,  walking  the  horses  and  talking  but 

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A    BOX   OF   MATCHES 

little.     He  had  somewhat  to  think  on,  and  she? 
— she  had  a  strange  horse. 

As  they  came  to  the  outskirts  of  the  Naugatuck 
colony  she  pulled  up. 

"What's     the     trouble     now?"     asked     Scdley 
quickly. 

Miss  Sherlock  Holmes  looked  over  at  him  with 
a  laugh. 

"  You   said   I   was    a   hundred   and   twenty-five 
years  old  — 

"But  I  only  meant-    -" 

"What  did  the  cavaliers  of  those  days  do  for 
the  damsels  of  those  days  ?  " 

He  hesitated. 

"  I  don't  dare  to  say." 

"  I  can  stand  anything  after  the  last  hour." 

"Well,  so  far  as  I  know,  you  see  —  just  answer- 
ing 3^our  question,  you  know ' 

"Yes " 

"Well,  they  fell  in  — that  is,  they " 

"  They  didn't  do  any  such  thing ! "  stiffly. 

"  Yes,  they  did." 

"  They  didn't !    I'll  tell  you  what  they  did." 

"  If  your  ladyship  will  be  so  kind,"  humbly. 
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A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"They    were    just    willing    to    die    for    those 
damsels." 

"  Strange  how  few  changes  time  makes." 

"  Thank  you,  again." 

"How  shall  I  die,  ladyship?" 

"  You  will  put  my  saddle  on  Ladysmith,  sir,  and 
then  you  will  leave  me  here  to  go  home  alone " 

"  No  cavalier  was  ever  such  an  ass ! " 

"Please!" 

"  But  you  don't  know  the  way." 

"Yes,  I  do,  really.     From  here  it's  only  a  step. 
Please!"  she  urged  gently.     And  he  did. 

Just  as  she  was  about  to  leave,  he  said: 

"Those     cavalier-damsel     days     had     another 
custom." 

"  I  don't  believe  it.     What  custom?" 

"  The  damsel  always  —  she  did  really  —  always 
gave  the  cavalier  a  favour  at  parting." 

"Well,     this     damsel     doesn't,"     laughed     the 
girl. 

"Not  that  gray  glove?" 

"  No.     That  glove  has  been  seen  once  too  often 
already." 

"  May  I  be  introduced  to  you  some  time  ?  " 
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A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"I  don't  believe  you  can.  I  should  be 
frightened." 

"  I  can  keep  a  secret." 

"  If  you'll  promise  never  to  remind  me  of  this 
again,  and  won't  —  won't  make  me  terribly 
embarrassed " 

"  I  promise." 

"And  I  am  really  very  much  —  very  much 
obliged  to  you,  Mr.  Sedley,  for  it  all."  And  off 
limped  Ladysmith. 

"Good-by,  Miss  Holmes. 

"  Good-by,  cavalier." 


93 


XIII 


"HERE  we  are!"  cried  Mrs.  Alton,  coming  in 
with  her  husband  at  eight  the  next  night. 

"  And  here's  the  rest  of  the  company,"  said  Sed- 
ley,  as  Jim  Braveur  drove  up  with  his  partj\  They 
came  in,  two  Altons  and  four  Braveurs. 

"Tom,"  said  Mrs.  Jim,  "this  is  Miss  Atwood, 
and  over  there  trying  to  hide  is  Miss  Mortimer." 
He  drew  in  his  breath  quickly  and  stood  still  for 
an  instant.  Then  in  a  sort  of  haze  he  shook  hands 
with  the  first  and  turning  to  the  second  said: 

"I'm  glad  to  meet  you,  Miss  Holmes " 

"Holmes!"  laughed  Mrs.  Braveur,  "I  didn't 
say  Holmes.  I  said  Mortimer." 

"Of  course,"  said  Sedley,  "Miss  Mortimer." 
And  he  watched  a  bright  colour  run  over  the  face 
and  neck  of  a  young  person  who  gave  him  a  look 
that  made  him  want  to  sink  through  the  floor. 

"  So  her  name's  Holmes,  eh  ?  "  whispered  Alton, 
passing  him  as  they  sat  down  to  dinner. 
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A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"  Mrs.  Ben,"  said  Sedley  severely,  "  I  wish  you'd 
squelch  your  husband." 

"  Ben,  dear,  what  have  you  done  now  ?  " 

"  Nothing  much.  I  was  just  reminding  Tom 
of  something  he's  going  to  do." 

"  He  reminds  me  of  something  I'll  do  to 
him,"  said  Sedley  grimly.  Then  he  turned  to 
Lucy  Braveur.  "  Tell  me  about  Miss  Mor- 
timer." 

"  She's  lovely,"  said  Lucy  enthusiastically. 

"  Granted." 

"  She's  Alexander  Mortimer's  daughter.  But 
there's  no  chance  for  you." 

"Why?" 

"  Because  she's  engaged,  or  practically  so,  to 
Peter  Chisham." 

"Engaged!" 

"Yes,  why  not?" 

"  Why  not,  indeed ! "  And  yet  something  seemed 
to  have  dimmed  a  pretty  vision  of  tea  things  and 
firelight  that  had  strayed  through  his  brain  for 
the  last  twenty-four  hours. 

"And,  by  the  way,  that  reminds  me,"  cried 
Alton's  penetrating  voice ;  "  Edith,  it's  time  you 
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A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

gave     an     account     of     your     doings     yesterday 
afternoon." 

"And  I  decline  to  do  so." 

"  What's  up,  Ben  ?  "  asked  Braveur. 

"Well,  you  see,  yesterday  afternoon  I  chased 
this  young  woman  all  over  the  county " 

"I  simply  lost  my  way,"  put  in  the  girl,  realis- 
ing that  someone  was  watching  her  closely. 

"Wait  a  moment,"  and  Alton  raised  his  finger 
as  if  he  were  conducting  a  law  case.  "  I  stopped 
in  here,  found  Sedley  on  this  sofa,  holding  —  what 
do  you  suppose  he  was  holding?"  And  he  look  eel 
around  with  a  glance  that  was  big  with  import- 
ance. 

"  A  book,"  suggested  Mrs.  Jim. 

"A  highball,"  muttered  Braveur. 

"  Converse  with  himself,"  said  Mrs.  Ben. 

"  Not  at  all !  Not  at  all !  He  was  holding  a  — 
glove!" 

"Wonderful!"  said  Jim,  disgusted. 

"A  lady's  glove!" 

"  Heavens ! "  said  the  company. 

"Tom,"   cried  Lucy  sympathetically,   "tell  us 

who  she  is.     I'd  be  delighted  if " 

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A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"  I'll  tell  you  who  she  is,"  put  in  Alton. 

They    all    waited  —  two    in    that    room    with 
mingled  fear  and  dismay. 

"She's  Miss  Holmes!" 

The  bombshell  had  burst.     There  was  a  pause. 

"  And  who  is  she?  " 

No  one  noticed  a  long  sigh  of  relief  that  escaped 
from  one  fair  person  there. 

"  Come,  Tom,  speak  up." 

"Wait,"  said  Alton.     "When  I  left  the  club- 
and  I  stopped  only  a  moment  there  —  I  went  over 
to  your  house,  Jim,  to  see  you,  and  —  there  was 
Edith"  —  the   dismay  and   fear   returned  —  "and 
what  do  you  suppose  she  had  on  ?  " 

"I  hope  at  least  a-    -" 

"  Jim,  dear ! "  said  his  wife  deprecatingly. 

"  Not  at  all !  Not  at  all ! "  cried  the  prosecuting 
lawyer. 

"  What!  "  exclaimed  the  company. 

"  I  mean  —  of  course  —  but  she  had  something 
else  on." 

"Please  itemise,  Ben,"  commanded  Braveur. 

"  Jim,  dear,  don't  be  vulgar." 

"Wait.     I'll  itemise " 

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A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"Ben  Alton,  don't  you  say  another  word!" 
exclaimed  his  scandalised  wife. 

"  Gloves!  "  cried  the  poor  man.  "  She  had  on 
gloves." 

"Edith,"  said  Braveur,  "you're  saved." 

"I'm  lost,"  thought  the  frightened  girl. 
"Well?"  she  said  aloud. 

"But  don't  you  see?"  And  Alton  looked 
around. 

"As  usual,  Ben,"  laughed  Sedley.  "Your 
mental  process  is  too  cloudy  for  sight." 

"  But  they  were  the  same  gloves." 

"  How  do  you  know  ?  " 

"  They  were  gray  gloves,  don't  you  see  ?  " 

"There  is,  of  course,  only  one  pair  of  gray 
gloves  in  the  world." 

"  Ben,  you  ought  to  be  a  detective  instead  of  an 
idiot,"  and  Braveur  looked  with  compassion  at  his 
host. 

"  Oh,  I've  only  begun !  Well,  when  I  confronted 
Edith  with  this  damning  evidence  she  said  they 
belonged  to  a  Miss  Holmes " 

"  Did  she  ?  "  asked  Sedley  quickly. 

«  Sure." 

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A'BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"Ah,  the  plot  thickens,"  said  Braveur.  Miss 
Mortimer  kept  her  eyes  on  her  plate.  Sedley  grew 
more  nervous. 

"  And,"  Alton  went  on,  "  to-night  I  come  up 
here  and  Tom  makes  a  slip  and  mentions  the  name 
of  Miss  Holmes.  There  you  are.  Now,  I  ask, 
who  is  Miss  Holmes  ?  " 

"Thomas,"  said  Braveur,  "in  the  words  of  the 
poet,  it's  up  to  you.  The  prosecution  rests." 

"  Ladies  and  gentlemen,"  began  Sedley,  raising 
his  glass,  "I  drink  to  Miss  Holmes."  And  they 
all  did. 

"Who  is  she,  Tom?" 

"Describe  her." 

"Is  she  lovely?" 

"  She's  perfectly  beautiful,"  he  answered 
seriously.  One  glance  of  dismay  and  reproach 
flew  across  the  table  at  him  as  he  went  on. 

"  Have  you  known  her  long  ? "  asked  senti- 
mental Mrs.  Braveur. 

"  Not  long." 

"Do  we  know  her?" 

He  bowed  formally.     "  You  have  not  the  pleas- 
ure of  Miss  Holmes'  acquaintance." 
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'  A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"More  details,  Tom." 

"Well,"    turning    carefully    away    from    Miss 
Mortimer's    direction.      "  She   has    beautiful   blue 


eyes  - 

"Good!" 

"Fair  hair,  a  tall  figure  —  in  fact  she's  pretty 
near  my  ideal." 

"  She'd  like  your  gossiping  about  her,"  said 
Miss  Mortimer  severely. 

"I'm  not  gossiping.     I'm  telling  the  truth." 

"Tom,  do  you  —  do  you  like  her  very  much?" 
asked  Mrs.  Braveur. 

"I  do,  Lucy." 

"May  we  congratulate  you?" 

"  Not  yet.     I'll  let  you  know  in  a  little  while." 

"It's  all  bosh!"  exclaimed  Braveur. 

"It's  the  gospel  truth!"  snapped  Sedley. 
"Only  —  well,  it  was  you  who  said  Ben  was  an 
idiot." 

Suddenly  there  came  a  change  on  Mrs.  Bra- 
veur's  face.  She  looked  searchingly  at  Miss  Mor- 
timer, then  at  Sedley;  then  a  queer  little  smile 
appeared  at  the  corners  of  her  mouth  and  she 
leaned  back  in  her  chair. 
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A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

Dismayed  as  Edith  Mortimer  was,  she  could  not 
help  looking  straight  into  Sedley's  face  and  say- 
ing: 

"If  I  were  Miss  Holmes  I'd  soon  let  you  know 
what  I  thought  of  a  man  who  trifled  with 
me  so." 

"Do  you  know  that  I  am  trifling  with  her?" 

"  I  do.  That  is,  I  know  how  any  girl  would 
feel  —  yes,  how  I  should  feel  myself." 

"How  would  you  feel?"  asked  Alton. 

"  I  should  feel  so  angry  that  I  would  send  the 
man  about  his  business  in  short  order  the  next  time 
I  saw  him." 

"You  won't  tell  her,  though?"  urged  Mrs. 
Braveur  shyly. 

"  By  the  way,  you  know  her.  What  sort  is 
she?" 

The  girl  was  fairly  caught.  She  glanced  at 
Sedley's  face  and  grew  furious  at  the  amused 
smile  she  saw  there. 

"You  may  tell  them,  but  tell  the  truth,"  said 
he. 

"  She'd  thank  you  for  the  permission,"  sniffed 
the  young  woman. 

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A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"Well,  come  on,  Edith,"  laughed  Alton. 
"What's  she  like?" 

"  She's  a  very  nice  girl." 

"Pretty?" 

"No  — o." 

"  I  tell  you  she's  lovely,"  cried  Sedley  to  the 
company. 

"  She  isn't  anything  of  the  sort ! "  cried  Miss 
Mortimer. 

"Are  you  jealous,  Edith?"  asked  Lucy 
severely. 

"How  absurd!" 

"  Isn't  she  a  beautiful,  charming  girl  ?  I  ask 
you  as  a  judge."  And  Sedley  looked  steadily  at 
her. 

"  You  see  we  don't  agree,  so  I  won't  say  any 
more."  And  then  Mrs.  Braveur,  who  was  acting 
as  hostess,  rose  and  the  other  women  followed. 

"  Ben,"  said  Sedley,  as  they  began  to  smoke, 
"  you  can  put  on  your  asbestos  suit  and  get  on  the 
first  express  train  for  the  lower  regions." 

"Thanks!  But  Naugatuck'll  do  for  me  for  a 
while." 

"All  right,  I'll   get  square.       Wait  till  you 

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A   BOX   OF    MATCHES 

come  up  to  play  all  night  next  time.     I'm  dog- 
goned  if  I  don't  tell  the  Missus." 

"Oh,  let  an  old  man  have  his  fun,  Tom.  I 
was  only  joking."  And  Braveur,  studying  his 
host's  face,  held  his  peace. 


103 


XIV 


NEXT  morning  at  ten  the  hounds  met  near  the 
club  and  soon  went  away  for  the  morning  drag. 
There  was  a  goodly  company  of  some  fifteen,  men 
and  women,  but  they  had  nearly  all  got  away 
before  Sedley  arrived.  He  was  soon  going  hard 
after  them,  however,  and  in  fifteen  minutes  he 
caught  sight  of  a  slight  figure  riding  well  and 
taking  the  jumps  easily  on  one  of  Alton's  mounts. 
Khartoun  brought  him  up  to  her  and  he  received 
a  frigid  "  good-morning ! " 

"May  I  ride  with  you  for  a  little?" 

"  I'm  very  angry  with  you,  Air.  Sedley ,"  said 
she,  sitting  straight  on  her  horse  and  looking 
ahead. 

"Are  you  really?" 

"I  don't  think — it  wasn't  very  gentlemanly  to 
take  such  an  advantage  of  a  girl  who  —  who  made 
a  mistake." 

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'A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"  Are  you  sorry  you  made  it  ?  " 

*'  I  am  now,  most  certainly." 

"What  could  I  do?" 

"You  could  have  done  anything  but  what  you 
did." 

"  But  if  I  hadn't  said  I  knew  Miss  Holmes  and 
let  them  think " 

"You  need  not  have  ridiculed  me." 

"  Miss  Mortimer,  I  never  thought  of  such  a 
thing." 

"  You  did,"  cried  the  girl  with  tears  of  irritation 
in  her  eyes,  as  she  turned  quickly  away  from  him. 
"You  were  laughing  at  me  all  the  time,  and  I 
could  not  defend  myself." 

"You  can  now,  it  seems." 

"Yes,  I  think  I  can,"  and  she  nodded  her  head 
vigorously  in  his  direction. 

"  Careful  of  this  fence !  *Ware  hole  on  the 
other  side!" 

"Oh,  you're  very  thoughtful  now,"  and  she  put 
her  horse  hard  at  it  and  cleared  well. 

"Miss  Mortimer,"  said  he,  coming  up  again, 
"  I'm  really  sorry.  Won't  you  forgive  the  first 
offence?" 

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A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"  I  suppose  I'll  have  to,  or  you  will  tell  the 
whole  story " 

"Miss  Mortimer!" 

His  tone  made  her  turn  in  the  saddle  and  look 
at  him,  and  what  she  saw  on  his  face  frightened 
her  a  little.  For  a  moment  they  rode  on.  Then 
she  pulled  up  to  a  walk. 

"  I  didn't  mean  that,  Mr.  Sedley." 

"Thank  you." 

Silence  again  for  a  time  as  they  galloped  on. 

"It's  a  beautiful  day  for  a  run,  isn't  it?"  asked 
a  conciliatory  little  voice  presently. 

"Very,"  he  answered. 

Then  he  saw  Chisham  make  toward  them,  saw 
the  newcomer  received  with  marked  cordiality,  and 
thereupon  abruptly  excused  himself  and  rode 
away. 

In  the  Naugatuck  colony  there  were  so  few 
people  that  everyone  saw  everyone  else  daily, 
and  Sedley  therefore  found  himself  constantly  in 
Miss  Mortimer's  company.  She  was  always  polite, 
but  there  came  no  sign  of  the  bright,  self- 
possessed  young  woman  he  had  once  had  tea  with 
in  his  own  home.  Then,  too,  Peter  Chisham 
1 06 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

seemed  to  be  always  near  her,  frequently  talking 
earnestly,  always  listened  to.  Sedlcy  kept 
away  more  and  more,  and  yet  he  could  not  stay 
away. 

So  it  came  once  that  the  habitant  of  the 
highland  home,  now  much  distressed  over  life  in 
general,  rode  off  into  the  hills  one  afternoon  with 
no  other  purpose  than  to  ride  and  meditate.  And 
so  also  it  turned  out  that  on  a  sudden  he  saw  a 
horsewoman  ahead  in  the  wooded  roadway.  He 
knew  her  in  a  moment,  but  something  about  her 
struck  him  as  different.  Ladysmith  walked  slowly 
with  loose  rein,  the  girl  leaned  forward  with  both 
hands  clasped  around  her  knee,  and  the  gentle 
figure  showed  unmistakable  signs  of  weariness. 

He  started  to  turn  away  and  then  that  same 
inclination,  stronger  than  his  will,  led  him  up  to 
her. 

"Good-afternoon!"  he  called. 

With  a  quick  exclamation  she  turned  and  then 
he  saw  her  face  change. 

"  I  came  on  you  accidentally.  Shall  I  leave 
you  to  your  meditations  ?  " 

"  No,  I  think  even  you  would  be  better."  And 
107 


A    BOX   OF   MATCHES 

for  the  first  time  he  recognised  a  spark  of  the 
girl's  real  self. 

"  The  thoughts  couldn't  have  been  worth  even 
a  penny,  then." 

"  I'd  pay  to  have  them  taken  away." 

"What  would  you  pay?" 

"  Anything." 

"Good!  I'll  take  them." 

"You  are  untrustworthy." 

"  Miss  Mortimer,"  said  he  earnestly,  "  don't  you 
think  I've  been  hounded  enough  for  what  I  had 
no  idea  I'd  done  ?  " 

The  girl  began  to  be  nervous,  yet  unstrung  as 
she  was  she  held  her  own. 

"  Do  you  know,  sir,  you  ought  to  be  put  through 
a  hard  school  ?  " 

"Of  what  kind?" 

"  You  need  some  woman  to  tell  you  how  to  treat 
other  women." 

The  girl's  manner  might  be  light  enough,  but 
her  voice  quivered  with  extreme  nervousness. 

"  I  think  you  need  a  lesson,  too."  He  was  not 
joking,  either. 

"What  do  you  mean?" 
1 08 


A    BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"Do  you  know  you  are  a,  very  dangerous 
person  ?  " 

"  In  dangerous  company  ?  " 

"  It  isn't  fair  to  trifle  with  two  men." 

"  Two  men ! "  And  she  turned  on  him.  "  What 
two,  if  you  please?" 

"Well,"  somewhat  dazed  by  the  onslaught, 
"  —  er  —  er — me  for  one " 

"  Stuff ! "  said  the  girl.     "And ?  " 

"I  think  I'll " 

"And  who  else,  sir?" 

"  Fve  been  told  by  several  that  his  name  is  —  is 
Chisham." 

Not  a  word  did  she  say.  But  she  looked  straight 
at  him  with  blazing  eyes. 

"May  I  congratulate  him?"  asked  Sedley 
doubtfully. 

The  beautiful  eyes  closed  to  a  narrow  line  as 
she  said: 

"I  think,  Mr.  Sedley,  that  again  you  are  using 
a  handle  you  have  over  me  to " 

"Miss  Mortimer,"  said  the  man  very  quietly, 
but  with  a  white  face,  "  that  is  the  second  time 
you  have  said  the  most  unjust  thing  ytm  could 
109 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

say  to  me."  He  lifted  his  hat.  "  I  will  take  good 
care  you  do  not  have  an  opportunity  to  repeat  it." 
And  Khartoun  leaped  off  the  road  into  the  field 
in  amazement  at  having  spurs  used  on  him  in  such 
fashion. 


XV 


THAT  night  after  dinner,  after  they  had  gone 
up  stairs  for  the  night,  Mrs.  Braveur  sat  for  a 
moment  before  her  dressing-table  preparing  to 
undress.  Something  was  wrong,  she  knew. 
What  it  was  she  could  not  imagine.  She  merely 
put  two  and  two  together,  as  woman  will,  until 
the  end  of  the  world.  Edith  Mortimer  had  been 
gay.  Edith  was  so  no  longer.  Edith  had 
seemed  to  enjoy  Chisham's  society.  Edith  did  so 
no  longer.  Edith  had  gone  out  to  ride,  sad, 
thoughtful,  and  dispirited.  Edith  had  returned 
with  two  pink  spots  on  her  cheeks  and  it  was  plain 
to  anyone  —  to  any  woman  —  that  she  had  met 
someone  and  been  seriously  stirred. 

Lucy  decided  that  it  must  be  a  man.    No  woman 

could  have  turned  things  so  topsy  turvy.     At  this 

point  she  got  up  and  went  and  knocked  at  Edith's 

door.    In  a  moment  the  two  were  discussing  things 

in 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

in  general,  the  events  of  the  day,  and  men,  as  they; 
frequently  did. 

"Tell  me,  Lucy,"  said  the  girl  finally,  "what 
sort  of  a  man  Mr.  Chisham  is." 

"Why,  he's  very  nice  —  not  very  vigorous"  — 
hesitating,  watching  and  guessing  —  "not  very 
charming  —  er  —  not  the  kind  of  man  I  think  I 
should  marry  —  er  —  would  you  ?  " 

"  I  shouldn't  think  so,"  looking  down  at  the  rug. 

"  He's  an  absolute  contrast  to  Tom  Sedley,  for 
instance "  a  pause. 

"Is  he?" 

"Don't  you  think  so?" 

"I  don't  know  Mr.  Sedley  at  all  well"  Still 
examining  the  rug. 

"Why  don't  you  like  Tom,  dear?  Has  he 
offended  you  ?  " 

"  I  don't  like  or  dislike  him.     That  is,  I " 

"Did  his  accounts  of  Miss  Holmes " 

"  I  don't  know  anything  about  Miss  Holmes, 
Lucy.  I " 

"  I  know !  I  know !  I  think,  though,  that  this 
Miss  Holmes  is  some  invention  of  his  to  cover  up 

something  —  perhaps  to  protect  some  girl " 

112 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"Who?"  asked  Edith  quickly. 

"I  haven't  the  remotest  idea.  But  if  some  girl 
has  done  anything  to  my  Tom  Sedley  and  he  is 
bearing  the  brunt  of  it,  she's  perfectly  safe.  He 
would  die  rather  than  expose  her." 

"Would  he?" 

"  Can't  you  see  that  he  would,  just  from  the 
look  in  his  face?" 

Edith  certainly  could  see  her  hostess,  for  she 
was  gazing  fixedly  at  her. 

"  And  suppose  this  Miss  Holmes  had  done  some- 
thing she  —  she  —  well,  say  she  wanted  to  conceal." 

"Then  she  could  safely  rely  on  him  to  con- 
ceal it." 

"Without  asking  him  to?" 

"Without  asking  him  to.  Only  she'd  owe  him 
some  thanks,  I  think." 

"  Of  course.  Yet  whoever  she  is,  I  don't  see  how 
she  could  thank  a  man  for  such  a  thing." 

"  Oh,  there  are  lots  of  ways." 

"Such  as " 

"  Such  as  being  kind  and  nice  to  him,"  —  Edith 
thought  of  the  afternoon  — "  such  as  having  him 
to  tea  and  dinner "  —  that  was  of  course  impos- 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

sible  — "  or  showing  him  in  some  —  in  any  of  a 
million  indirect  ways  that  she  appreciated  what 
he  was  doing." 

How  could  she  show  him  in  any  such  way, 
thought  the  girl  after  Mrs.  Braveur  had  left  her 
and  gone  to  her  own  room  smiling  —  how  could 
she,  when  Sedley  carefully  kept  away  from  her? 

Then  suddenly  an  idea  occurred  to  her.  She 
sat  bolt  upright  an  instant,  and  then,  as  a  bright 
glow  spread  over  her  face,  she  smiled  to  herself, 
and  leaned  back  in  her  chair  and  gave  herself  up 
to  musings  —  pleasant  musings,  one  would  say, 
since  she  still  smiled  and  the  bright  colour  in  her 
cheeks  spread  to  her  fair  throat  —  and  still  she 
mused  on. 


114 


XVI 


SEDLEY  sat  by  the  fire  in  his  big  room.  It  was 
no  use ;  he  could  not  help  it.  Day  after  day  he 
worried  over  his  behaviour.  For  four  days  he  had 
not  seen  her,  and,  ass  that  he  was,  he  hadn't  the 
nerve  to  come  down  from  his  high  horse.  So  ran 
his  thoughts  on  this  late  afternoon  after  sunset 
when  the  bell  rang. 

He  heard  Maggie  cross  the  room  to  the  door; 
he  heard  some  whispering,  and  then  the  door  closed. 

"What  is  it?"  he  asked  without  turning  his 
head. 

"  This,  sir."  He  turned  quickly  at  the  tone  in 
the  maid's  voice  and  saw  her  standing  there  holding 
a  gray  riding-gauntlet. 

He  jumped  to  his  feet. 

"Did  that  come  just  now?" 

"Yes,  sir." 

"Who  left  it?" 

"  She  told  me  not  to  tell,  sir  —  oh,  Mr.  Sedley, 


sir "  but  he  had  disappeared  through  one  of 

the  long  windows,  cleared  the  piazza  with  a  jump 
and,  counting  on  the  long  curved  avenue,  was 
making  hard  for  the  gateway  down  the  steep  and 
shrub-covered  hill. 

He  was  just  in  time,  for,  as  he  jumped  down 
from  a  big  retaining  wall  on  to  the  road,  he  heard 
the  sharp  click  of  a  trotting  horse.  Without  a 
moment's  hesitation  he  stepped  out  and  grasped 
Ladysmith's  rein.  There  came  a  frightened  cry 
from  above  in  the  dusk. 

"It's  all  right,"  said  he. 

"  You ! "  cried  the  girl  in  a  voice  that  expressed 
volumes. 

"Yes.    Comeback." 

"  No,  no,  I  can't  —  I  won't.    Please  let  me  go ! " 

He  had  already  turned  the  horse,  and  something 
in  his  manner  made  her  sit  quietly  until  he  lifted 
her  down  at  his  door.  They  were  in  the  room 
now.  She  looked  up  at  him. 

"  Sit  down,  and  don't  say  a  word,"  he  com- 
manded. "Maggie,  tea." 

"Yes,  sir,"  said  Maggie  with  the  tea  tray  in 
her  hand. 

116 


A    BOX   OF    MATCHES 

"Will  you  give  me  some  tea,  Miss  Mortimer?" 
and  he  watched  a  shaking  hand  prepare  it.  Then 
she  handed  him  a  cup,  but  would  not  look  at  him, 
and  the  hand  trembled  so  that  the  cup  rattled  in 
the  saucer. 

"  Now  have  some  yourself."  And  she  poured 
out  a  cup. 

"Drink  it."  And  she  did,  never  lifting  her 
eyes  from  the  tray. 

"Miss  Mortimer,  I  have  been  sitting  here  four 
nights  without  being  man  enough  to  come  and 
apologise." 

"  Never  mind,"  breathed  the  girl. 

"  It  is  mind.     I'm  a  stuck  up " 

"  Please  don't "  still  gazing  at  the  brass 

kettle. 

"  Wait !  I'm  going  to  tell  the  whole  story." 

"I  understand " 

"No,  you  don't.  I  couldn't  come  and  see  —  I 
couldn't  write  but  one  thing,  and  that  could  not 
be  written  to  a  girl  who  was  —  who  was— " 

"  As  mean  as  I  am  ? "  suddenly  looking  up  at 
him  with  tears  in  her  eyes. 

"Good  Lord!  don't  you  understand " 

117 


A   BOX   OF    MATCHES 

"What?" 

"  To  a  girl  who  was  engaged  to  another 
man." 

"But  I'm  not-    -" 

"  I  know !  I  know !  I  knew  it  the  moment  I  saw 

that  glove What  is  it,  Maggie  ? "  he  cried 

suddenly. 

"  The  toast,  sir." 

"  Well,  drop  it !  Go  away  !  Hide,  Maggie,  till 
I  come  and  find  you ! " 

"Oh,  sir,"  cried  the  scared  maid,  and  she  forth- 
with dropped  the  unoffending  toast,  plate  and  all, 
on  the  floor.  Then  she  fled. 

His  sudden  unreasoning  wrath  and  what  came 
of  it  brought  on  the  climax.  The  high-strung 
girl  began  to  laugh,  leaning  back  on  the  sofa  and 
then  forward  with  her  face  in  her  hands.  And 
then  the  tears  came  and  she  put  her  head  on  his 
shoulder  and  cried  and  cried  and  laughed  again, 
until  he  howled  for  Maggie  and  whiskey  and  hot- 
water  bottles.  And  finally  she  grew  quieter  and 
neither  of  them  spoke  as  they  sat  on  the  sofa  by 
the  fire. 

"What  is  it?"  said  he. 
118 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"Suppose,"  murmured  the  girl,  "someone 
should  see  us " 

"  Well,  it's  time  someone  did." 

"  But  here in  this  house." 

"  They'll  get  used  to  it." 

"What  do  you  mean?"  said  she,  straightening 
up. 

"  You  don't  get  outside  these  four  walls 
again." 

"  Tom  Sedley,  you  are  certainly  the  craziest 
person  I  ever  saw." 

"  That's  a  nice  way  to  begin  married  life." 

"  I  must  go  back  this  minute." 

"  But,  dear  heart,  I  can't  trust  you  out  of  my 
sight  again." 

"You  wouldn't  want  people  to  say  that  your 
—  that  I  had  actually  chased  you  into  your  own 
house  ? " 

"  I  might  not  want  them  to  say  it,"  chuckled 
Thomas,  "but  I  couldn't  deny  it  if  they  did  say 
it,  could  I?" 

"  That  isn't  fair  —  now,  is  it  ?  " 

"  No,  dear,  but  I'm  so  afraid  you'll  fly  away,  or 
that  Chisham  will  capture  you." 
119 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"Poor  Peter.  I  think  —  I'm  afraid  that  first 
afternoon  —  er  —  opened  my  eyes." 

"Did  you  like  it?" 

"Yes,  dear,"  smiling  up  at  him,  "and  —  I  —  I 
wanted  to  stay  —  to  dinner." 

"  Will  you  stay  now  ?  " 

"Goodness  me!  It  would  be  worse  than  ever 
now ! " 

"  Will  you  like  to  live  in  this  house  ?  " 

"You'll  have  to  have  a  sewing-room,"  criti- 
cally. 

"Yes,  dear,"  meekly. 

"And  there  must  be  closets  without  shelves 
where  dresses  can  hang." 

"Yes,  dear."     Without  a  quiver. 

"It's  high  time,  sir,  that  I  was  back  under  the 
wing  of  propriety  in  the  person  of  Mrs.  Ben. 
And  this  time  you  must  go  all  the  way  down  with 
me." 

"Will  you  ever  come  back?" 

"Do  you  doubt  the  damsel  still?" 

They  stood  now  by  the  door,  the  horses  waiting. 

"  Couldn't  the  cavalier  have  some  favour  from 
the  damsel  this  time?"  plaintively. 

1 2O 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"My  dear,"  said  she,  gently  lifting  her  face 
to  his. 

That  episode  was  never  told.  Mrs.  Braveur's 
opinion  of  her  friend,  Tom  Sedley,  was  a  correct 
one.  Nobody  ever  knew.  But  when  the  engage- 
ment was  announced  there  was  another  argument 
between  husband  and  wife  when  Lucy  claimed  to 
have  made  the  match.  And  when  Jim  asked  for 
proof  she  only  laughed  at  him  and  said :  "  Never 
you  mind.  I  know  what  I  know — and  I  can  guess 
the  rest." 

"Nevertheless,  Lucy,"  said  her  husband,  "I 
wish  you  to  understand  that  there  is  to  be  no  more 
matchmaking  in  this  house." 

"Matches  are  made  in  heaven,  Jim,  dear," 
replied  his  wife  modestly. 

"  Well,  they  burn  in  the  house  all  right.  Before 
you  know,  you'll  get  a  name  for  it,  and  nobody 
will  come  to  stay  with  us — that  is,  no  men." 

"  How  silly !  It  isn't  the  men  who  would  stay 
away.  However,  I  promise." 

And  she  kept  her  word  for  a  year. 

Then  something  dreadful  happened. 


121 


<£©3*  <£©S*  <S©S> 


XVII 

<MS>^ 

THEY  had  had  a  house  party  of  a  dozen  people 
and  everybody  had  gone  except  pretty  and  rather 
vexatious  little  Eleanor  Marsten,  one  of  Mrs. 
Braveur's  young  protegees.  And  this  certainly 
was  not  done  by  Lucy.  If  Heaven  did  not  take 
a  hand  then  it  was  —  the  other  place. 

Jim  had  walked  over  to  the  club  after  dinner  with 
Miss  Marsten  to  get  her  cloak,  left  there  in  the 
afternoon,  and  she  stood  by  the  window  in  the  lady's 
parlour  waiting  while  Braveur  went  for  some 
cigars. 

That  was  where  the  trouble  began.  And  to 
be  perfectly  honest  it  seems  more  like  the  agency 
of  —  well,  not  of  Heaven,  anyway.  For  as  she 
stood  there  this  is  what  she  heard  coming  in  from 
the  piazza  by  means  of  the  open  window :  "  As  a 
rule,  John,  I'm  not  given  to  making  bets  about  a 
lady,  especially  in  a  club,  even  if " 

"Oh,  don't  put  on  your  company  airs,  man. 
122 


A  BOX   OF   MATCHES 

You  make  a  bald  statement  that  any  woman  is 
glad  to  run  at  fifty  or  more  to  the  hour " 

"  I  do." 

"  And  I  say  I'll  bet  you  an  even  three  hundred 
that  I  know  one  you  can't  get  to  go  twenty  miles 
in  two  hours." 

"And  I  say  'stuff,'  Johnny.  They  don't  make 
'em.  Every  woman  is  a  natural  gambler,  only 
controlled  by  civilisation.  They  all  like  chance 
and  risks,  and  most  of  'em  are  game." 

"Well,  Stanley,  I  repeat-    -" 

"  Is  she  near  here  ?  " 

"  She's  staying  at  the  Braveurs',  I  think  now." 

"She's  a  —  she's  well  bred  and  all  that?" 

"Good  Lord,  man,  she's  beautiful,  highbred, 
and,  as  you  say,  I  think  she's  game." 

"Who  is  it?" 

"Miss  Eleanor  Marsten." 

Was  the  curtain  moved  by  the  night  wind? 
Neither  took  note  of  it  as  they  smoked  in  silence. 

"All  right,  then,  as  I  don't  know  her,  I'll  call 
your  little  bluff." 

"Good!  It's  a  go,  then.  This  is  the  tenth  of 
July.  If,  on  August  ten  at  —  let's  see,  it's  nine 
123 


o'clock  now  —  if  at  nine  o'clock  on  the  night  of 
August  ten  you  have  not  carried  Miss  Eleanor 
Marsten  twenty  miles  in  two  hours,  or  less,  in  your 
darned  old  filthy-smelling  engine,  you,  Stanley 
Gardner,  pay  me  three  hundred  here  at  the  club 
at  five  minutes  after.  If  on  the  other  hand  you 
do,  I  present  you  with  a  check  for  the  same 
amount." 

"  Done,"  said  Gardner,  as  a  rustle  behind  them 
which  they  took  to  be  the  wind,  if  they  noticed  it 
at  all,  gave  the  only  sign  of  the  hasty  movement 
of  a  slight  figure  that  moved  across  the  room  and 
out  upon  the  back  lawn. 

44 Oh!"  breathed  the  soul  of  the  girl  as  she 
almost  ran  toward  the  Braveurs'  house.  "Oh,  to 
think  of  it!"  And  she  stopped  on  the  dark  lawn 
and  put  both  hands  to  her  face  —  "  To  think  of  it ! 
—  the  insult  —  two  men  betting  about  me  in  a 
club  —  in  a  club!"  A  small  foot  came  down  upon 
the  unoffending  grass  —  "Oh,  it  is  dreadful! 
dreadful!" 

Mrs.  Braveur  looked  up  from  her  book  as  the 
girl  entered  the  library. 

"  Did  you  get  your  cloak  —  Eleanor ! "  she  cried 
124 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

suddenly.     "What  is  the  matter?     Have  you  seen 
a  ghost?" 

"No,  dear,  not  exactly.  I  ran  over  the  lawn 
and  left  your  respected  husband  talking." 

"  Jim  ought  to  be  ashamed  of  himself  for  letting 
you  come  over  alone." 

"Oh,  I  don't  need  a  man  to  look  out  for  me!" 
said  Miss  Marsten  meaningly.  "All  men  are 
beasts,  I  think." 

"Eleanor!" 

"Dear  Lucy,  I  don't  refer  to  your  Jim.  He 
hadn't  the  least  idea  I  was  going  to  run  away. 
In  fact  I  suppose  he's  waiting  there  for  me  now." 

"I'm  glad  you  don't  include  poor  Jim  among 
your  beasts,"  and  Mrs.  Braveur  looked  pensive  for 
a  moment. 

"They  are  beasts  —  dreadful  reptiles!" 

"Why  Eleanor  Marsten!" 

There  was  a  moment's  pause. 

"Lucy,  who  is  Stanley  Gardner?" 

"  Stanley  ?  Why  he  lives  at  the  club  a  good 
deal,  sometimes  at  his  sister's,  Mrs.  Winthrop. 
He's " 

"  Is  he  a  decent  person  ?  " 
125 


X   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"Dear  child,  what  do  you  mean?  Stanley  is  a 
hard-working,  wealthy  bachelor,  and  he's  cer- 
tainly no  beast.  He's  a  very  good  catch.  I  like 
him  very " 

"Youfehim?" 

"  I  should  say  I  did ! "  laughed  Lucy,  looking 
up  at  her  husband  as  he  came  in  and  laying  her 
hand  softly  on  his  sleeve.  "  If  I  hadn't  seen  Jim 
first,  there's  no  knowing  what  might  have  hap- 
pened." 

"  Jingo ! "  said  Braveur.     "  What  I've  missed ! " 

"  Jim,  dear,  that  isn't  nice ! " 

"Well,  you  began  it.  Look  here,  young  lady, 
where  did  you  run  to  ?  " 

"  Across  the  lawn  to  this  house,"  answered  Miss 
Marsten. 

"Eleanor's  seen  a  ghost,  Jim." 

"Poor  ghost!  I  suppose  he's  lost  his 
heart " 

"How  silly!"  said  his  wife.  "Listen!  She's 
seen  a  ghost,  and  says  men  are  beasts,  and  wants 
to  know  if  Stanley  Gardner  is  decent." 

"  Seems  to  be  a  thread  there,"  mused  Braveur. 
"  What  has  Stanley  done  to  you  ?  " 
126 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

*'  I  never  even  saw  him,"  sniffed  the  young  lady. 

"  Look  out,  young  woman,  he's  a  heart -breaker." 

"Is  he  so?"  Eleanor  laughed  scornfully. 
"  Well,  he'll  never  break  my  heart." 

"  What's  the  matter  with  you,  Eleanor  ?  "  asked 
Mrs.  Braveur. 

"Oh,  nothing.  I've  heard  of  him,  that's  all; 
and  I  wondered  if  you  knew  him " 

A  servant  stood  in  the  doorway. 

"Talk  of  devils,"  muttered  Braveur,  as  Miss 
Marsten  straightened  and  Mrs.  Braveur  looked  up 
quickly.  "  Halloa,  Gardner ! " 

"Am  I  too  late  to  come  in  for  a  moment?" 
asked  the  visitor  as  the  introductions  took  place. 
"  There's  an  avalanche  on  the  way  over  from  the 
club."  And  in  walked  three  other  men.  It 
seemed  warm  in  the  house  and  they  all  moved  to 
the  piazza,  where  Gardner  found  himself  seated  by 
the  young  woman  he  had  just  met. 

"  Ever  been  to  Naugatuck  before,  Miss 
Marsten  ?  "  he  asked. 

"  Oh,  yes,  but  not  in  the  last  three  years,"  said 
she.  "Not  since  the  club  was  built." 

"It's  a  great  addition,  isn't  it?" 
127 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"Is  it?"  asked  she  doubtfully. 

"Is  it?  I  should  say  it  was.  You  don't  see 
the  advantage  of  it." 

"  Well,  no,"  and  she  spoke  slowly  as  if  weighing 
her  words.  "  Such  a  place  collects  a  lot  of  club- 
men who  —  who  rather  spoil  the  quiet  life  here,  I 
think." 

"Heavens!     You  don't  like  us  then?" 

"You?     I  spoke  of " 

"I'm  one  of  the-    -" 

"  Oh,  do  you  live  there  ?    Well,  you  see,  men  are 

such     dreadful     things "     And     she     looked 

straight   at  him  in  the  half  light,  clasping  her 
hands  over  her  knees. 

"Heavens!"  said  he. 

"They're  such  drinkers  and  smokers  and  card 
players  and  —  and  gamblers,  aren't  they?" 

"It  wouldn't  do  for  me  to  contradict,"  and  he 
smiled  at  her. 

"Do  you  gamble?"  asked  the  soft-voiced 
maiden. 

"You  wouldn't  believe  me  if  I  said  I  didn't." 

"  You  wouldn't  tell  me  so,  I'm  sure,  if  it  were  not 
true." 

128 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"Are  you  so  sure  after  three  minutes'  ac- 
quaintance ?  " 

"Oh,  but  men  are  such  staunch  followers  of 
honour." 

"Miss  Marsten  —  my  first  confidence," — and 
he  leaned  toward  her  as  the  others  talked  on, — 
"  men  are  beasts." 

"That's  just  what  I  said!"  cried  she,  stiffening 
suddenly. 

"  Just  what  you  what?  " 

"I  mean  —  that's  the  usual  verdict,  isn't  it?" 

"Are  you  a  man-hater,  Miss  Marsten?" 

"Do  I  look  it,  Mr.  Gardner?" 

"  You  look  —  you  look  —  Miss  Marsten,  it  won't 
do  for  me  to  give  you  my  second  confidence,  at  all 
events  not  after  three  minutes'  acquaintance." 

"The  beasts  flatter  now  and  then?" 

"The  beasts  —  dear  me,  that's  a  terrible  name 
for  us." 

"  You  used  it  first." 

"Only  generically." 

"You're  an  exception  yourself,  then?" 

"  Everyone  likes  to  think  he  is  —  he  is " 

"Without  conceit,  say?" 
129 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"Did  you  have  wormwood  for  dinner?" 

"I  had  something  afterward  that  would  make 
any  woman  bitter." 

"  Can't  I  add  some  sugar?  " 

"Would  you  if  you  could?"  And  she  leaned 
forward  quite  composedly. 

"  You  won't  believe  me  if  I  say  it." 

"Try." 

"  I'd  go  a  thousand  miles  to  make  you  like  me  — 
I  mean  us." 

"After  three  minutes'  acquaintance?" 

"  After  coming  into  this  library." 

"What  do  you  do  besides  flatter,  Mr.  Gardner?" 

"Worship." 

"In  churches?" 

"  In  libraries." 

"How  ridiculous!  Don't  you  play  polo,  or 
shoot,  or  —  or  automobile?" 

Stanley  stiffened  for  a  moment  and  gave  a  quick 
look  at  the  girl's  face.  It  showed  only  polite  and 
inquiring  interest.  After  a  moment  he  looked  out 
into  the  night  and  said  he  liked  all  these  sports. 

"Do  you  really   run   an   automobile  all  your- 
self?" she  asked  with  renewed  interest. 
130 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"  Yes,"  a  little  absently. 

"  I  love  it ! "  said  the  girl  enthusiastically. 

Another  searching  look  at  the  girl.  This  was 
the  maiden  John  said  hated  automobiles.  It  was  a 
beastly  thing  to  bet  about  a  girl.  He  was  a 
cad 

"Won't  you  take  me  out  some  time?  I'm  going 
to  be  here  a  whole  month,"  and  again  the  fair  head 
bent  forward  as  she  clasped  her  knees  and  looked 
straight  at  him. 

Stanley  squirmed  again.  He  would  see  John  in 
the  morning  and  call  that  bet  off. 

"Will  you?"  persistently. 

"Why,  of  course,"  said  he  quickly,  "if  you 
like  it.  I  shall  be  delighted." 

"Is  your  —  machine  fast?" 

"  Sixty-horse  power,  good  for  sixty-five  miles 
an  hour." 

"  Splendid !  I  want  to  go.  Will  you  take 
me?" 

"  Certainly." 

"You  don't  seem  very  enthusiastic." 

"  Of  course  I  am,"  said  he,  waking  up  again. 

"How  would  Wednesday  afternoon  do?" 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"I'll  be  ready,"  and  he  rose  with  the  others  to 
go. 

The  next  day,  Tuesday,  he  came  over  to  tea  — 
to  arrange  about  the  ride.  Wednesday  he  came 
at  noon  to  say  that  the  car  was  out  of  order  and 
could  not  be  used  —  and  stayed  to  luncheon. 
Thursday  he  dined  with  the  Braveurs,  and  Bra- 
veur  remarked  to  his  wife  that  he'd  never  seen  so 
much  of  Gardner  before.  Finally  on  Saturday, 
urged  to  it  each  day,  he  ran  the  huge  car  up  to 
the  door  with  a  hangdog  look  that  sent  a  little 
thrill  through  a  young  person  in  a  long  brown 
coat  and  big  hat  who  came  out  at  the  throbbing  of 
the  engine.  When  she  saw  the  car  she  shuddered 
involuntarily  and  turned  white. 

"  Heavens  ! "  she  gasped.  "  What  a  terrible 
looking  thing!  Only  two  people  can  ride?" 

"That's  all,"  said  he.  "Perhaps  we'd  better 
—  er  —  put  it  off." 

"  But  what  an  enormous  one." 

"It's  a  racing  machine,  Miss  Marsten."     And 
he  smiled  grimly.       "These  two  handles  on  the 
arms  of  the  seat  are  for  you  to  hold  on  to.     Shall 
I  get  out  and  stay  a  little?" 
132 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"  No,  no ! "  cried  the  frightened  girl.  "  I  want 
—  I'm  crazy  to  go  —  go  fast!"  And  in  she 
stepped. 

He  pushed  the  lever  forward,  the  girl  suddenly 
gripped  the  two  handles  in  real  terror,  and  the 
great  machine  began  to  breathe  and  groan  as  if  it 
longed  to  be  away.  Then  slowly  it  started  for- 
ward, out  of  the  drive  and  into  the  long  flat 
road. 

Stanley,  miserable  in  his  mind,  looked  at  her 
out  of  the  corner  of  his  eye.  She  was  afraid. 
That  he  knew.  Why  did  she  insist  on  going? 

"You  don't  like  it.     I'll  stop.     We'll-    -" 

"No,  indeed!"  gasped  the  girl.  "Tell  me — • 
tell  me  all  about  it.  What  is  that  ? " 

"  That  tells  how  fast  we  are  going.  See !  We 
are  travelling  at  twelve  miles  an  hour  now.  This 
little  indicator  showing  twenty  miles  to  the  hour, 
started  at  1262^  miles.  That's  a  clock,  of 
course." 

Then  he  set  to  the  second  gear,  and  with  a 
hoarse  snort  the  machine  jumped  forward,  the 
little  indicator  showing  twenty  miles  to  the  hour. 

"Faster!"  gasped  the  girl. 
133 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

With  a  grim  smile  he  set  to  the  third  gear  and 
the  poor  girl's  head  snapped  back  as  the  car 
jumped  forward  to  forty-five  miles.  Instantly 
Stanley  slowed  down,  shouting  that  on  these  roads 
the  other  would  not  do.  Then  Eleanor  in  spite  of 
herself  became  fascinated  in  watching  the  indi- 
cators and  the  clock.  She  said  nothing.  In  fact 
speech  was  difficult,  if  not  impossible. 

They  ran  out  over  the  smooth  stone  roads, 
making  a  long  circuit ;  the  one  frightened  but 
determined,  the  other  more  and  more  miserable, 
but  with  a  new  determination  in  his  face.  John 
should  not,  could  not,  know.  That  was  all.  And 
so  they  had  done  fifteen  miles  in  a  little  over  an 
hour,  when  the  girl  gave  an  exclamation.  He 
looked  at  her  face  and  suddenly  brought  the  car  to 
a  standstill. 

"What  is  it?"  he  asked  anxiously. 

"I  don't  know.  I  think  —  I  think  I'm  a  little 
—  faint." 

"  Curse  the  machine ! "  he  muttered.  And  then 
suddenly.  "We're  right  by  the  Altwood  Inn. 
We'll  stop  there." 

She  nodded.  They  moved  slowly  forward, 
134 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

turned  a  corner  and  ran  up  to  the  door  of  a  small 
ivy-covered  house. 

"Parton,"  cried  Stanley.  "Where's  your 
wife?  Miss  Marsten  feels  faint." 

"  Oh,  don't  do  anything,  please,"  cried  the  girl, 
"I'm  all  right.  I " 

"Get  out  at  once,  Miss  Marsten,"  said  he 
sternly,  and  he  practically  carried  her  into  the 
little  unused  parlour.  Once  she  looked  at  his  face 
and  that  disturbing  thing  called  conscience  stirred 
for  an  instant  within  her.  Protest  as  she  might, 
however,  good  old  Mrs.  Parton  brought  whiskey, 
tea,  little  slices  of  bread,  cushions  and  heavens 
knows  what.  Then  in  a  moment  and  at  her  request. 
Stanley  came  in. 

"Better?"  he  asked. 

"  Quite  recovered,"  she  answered  coldly.  "  How 
far  did  we  run?"  \ 

"  Fifteen  in  an  hour  and  ten  minutes." 

"How  unfortunate  that  we  did  not  make  an 
even  twenty  miles ! " 

The  man  turned  abruptly  to  her,  but  the  side 
of  her  face  told  him  nothing.  He  made  no 
reply. 

135 


A    BOX   OF    MATCHES 

"It  is  wonderful,"  said  she,  without  turning 
around. 

"Yes." 

"  Fascinating." 

"Yes." 

"  Every  woman  is  a  natural  gambler,"  in  the 
same  tone. 

"What?" 

"  Only  controlled  by  civilisation " 

"Mi?    Marsten " 

"  In  fact  all  women  like  chance  and  risks  and 
most  of  'em  are  game,"  she  seemed  to  be  reciting 
a  lesson  well  learned,  as  she  gazed  out  of  the  win- 
dow. 

There  was  no  sound  in  the  room  for  a 
moment. 

"Miss  Marsten " 

"Yes?" 

"You  have  heard  those  words  before." 

"  Yes." 

"  You  have  heard  me  say  them." 

"  Yes." 

"  You  heard  me  make  a  wager  about  you." 

"Yes." 

136 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"You  heard  me  bet  that  I  would  take  you 
twenty  miles  in  two  hours." 

She  turned  slowly  around  on  him. 

"  Yes,  Mr.  Gardner,  I  did." 

The  sight  of  his  face  startled  her.  He  got  up 
and  walked  across  the  room  and  came  back  stand- 
ing before  her. 

"  You  know,  then,  that  I  am  a  cad,  and  by  God ! 
I  know  it  now,  too ! " 

"  It  seems  you  add  swearing  to  your  other 
virtues,"  she  said  coldly. 

"  I  beg  your  pardon.  I  —  I  didn't  really  know 
what  I  was  saying,"  and  with  an  apology  he  left 
the  room  for  a  moment.  When  he  came  back  she 
looked  at  him  with  another  expression  in  her 
face. 

"  Do  you  feel  well  enough  to  start  back  ? "  he 
asked  quietly. 

"  Yes,  oh  yes,"  she  answered  a  little  uncertainly. 
Something  frightened  her. 

At  the  door  of  the  inn  stood  a  horse  and  run- 
about. 

"  But  where  is  the  automobile  ?  " 

"We  will  drive  home." 
137 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"We  will  do  nothing  of  the  sort!"  And  her 
voice  rose  to  a  higher  pitch. 

"  We  must.     The  car  is  broken  down." 

"Mr.  Gardner,  that  is  not  the  truth." 

"  I  beg  of  you  to  drive  home." 

"How  far  is  it?" 

"  Not  far." 

"  Hvw  far  is  it?  " 

"  Twelve  miles." 

"  How  ridiculous ! "  cried  the  girl  in  a  trembling 
voice,  putting  her  hand  quickly  to  her  lips.  "I  — 
I  will  go  in  the  automobile,  or  walk." 

He  turned  quickly  toward  her,  but  something 
in  her  eyes  made  him  stop,  as  she  said  in  a  strained 
voice : 

"Are  you  chivalrous  enough  this  time  to  con- 
sider a  woman's  feelings?" 

Without  a  word  he  signed  to  the  man  to  lead  the 
horse  aside,  went  to  the  machine  and  brought  it 
to  the  steps.  He  helped  her  in,  got  in  himself, 
and  the  car  moved  slowly  homeward. 

Twice  she  spoke  in  an  uncertain  voice.  Twice 
he  answered  quietly,  but  in  a  way  that  closed  the 
subject.  Neither  spoke  again  till  thev  ran  up  to 
138 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

the  Braveurs'  door.  Instead  of  getting  out 
she  brushed  the  dust  absently  from  her  lap  and 
without  raising  her  eyes  said: 

"You  haven't  been  very  entertaining  coming 
home,  have  you  ?  " 

"  I  —  I  —  shall  I  help  you  out  ?  " 

"  Are  you  angry  ?  "  looking  now  up  at  him. 

"Angry!"  cried  the  man.     "How  could  I  be?'* 

"  Are  you  sorry  ? "  smiling  a  little  doubtfully 
at  him. 

He  turned  to  her  and  something  in  his  glisten- 
ing black  eyes  made  her  hold  the  look. 

"Miss  Marsten,  if  I  could  ever  tell  you  how  I 
regret  the  thing  —  really,  if  I  could  in  any  way  — 
you  would  not  begin  to  understand  even  then  how 
thoroughly  I've  learned  my  lesson.  I  —  good- 
night!" he  added  abruptly,  and  she  stood  on  the 
steps  watching  the  monster  swing  out  of  the 
avenue  and  fly  toward  the  road.  And  standing 
there  she  said  to  herself:  "I  wonder  if  it  paid 
after  all." 


139 


XVIII 


''YOU    answer     letters  promptly,     don't   you?" 
said  Eleanor  a  week  later. 

"I  have  been  away,"  and  he  watched  her  care- 
fully as  she  gave  him  a  slender  hand  to  hold  a 
moment. 

"Where?" 

"On  a  pilgrimage." 

"Why  didn't  you  come  here  sooner  when  you 
knew  —  after  -  " 

"  Because  I  have  been  away,"  he  answered 
quietly. 

"Would  you  have  come  now  if  I  had  not  writ- 
ten you?" 

"Do  you  think  I  would?" 

"Then  you  are  here  against  your  will?" 

"  Common  politeness  —  you  know  -  " 

"Your  idea  of  politeness  varies." 

"  Did  you  send  for  me  to  probe  -  " 

"I  didn't  send  for  you." 
140 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 


"I  mean " 

"  I  wrote  for  Lucy  to  say  that  she  would  be 
glad  to  see  you  at  tea  this  afternoon.  She  was 
so  busy  she  couldn't " 

He  looked  around  the  veranda. 

"Is  she  still  busy?— Halloa,  John!" 

The  newcomer  shook  hands,  sat  down,  and  took 
his  tea  like  a  little  man. 

"We  were  discussing  the  value  of  having  em- 
ployment, John,  when  you  joined  us." 

"Ah,  were  you?  You  didn't  appear  to  be 
pushing  any  job  very  hard  yourselves." 

"  Employment  in  others,  John,"  Gardner  cor- 
rected mildly. 

"It's  pretty  near  time  for  you  to  get  busy  on 
our  little  matter." 

Gardner's  manner  changed  immediately.  "Let 
it  rest,  John,"  said  he. 

"Oh,  well,  I  must  have  my  little  fun.  Don't 
you  think  so,  Miss  Marsten  ?  " 

"  I  suppose  so,  though  I'm  at  sea  now." 

"Well,  Stanley,"  Gardner  made  a  sudden 
movement,  "  it's  all  right,  old  man  —  merely  gen- 
eralities—  Stanley,  you  see,  Miss  Marsten,  made  a 

141 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

wager  with  me  to  do  something  or  pay  up  in  a 
month,"  an  imperceptible  shade  passed  over  Miss 
Marsten's  face;  "then  he  comes  to  me  next  day 
and  says  the  bet  is  off.  I  say  '  no.'  He  says 
*yes.'  Then  he  offers  to  pay  up  the  bet  now  and 
call  it  off.  I  am  fair.  I  say  'no,'  again.  I'll 
give  him  the  whole  month.  And  now  —  well,  look 
at  him!  I  can't  get  any  fun  out  of  him.  He's 
mad." 

A  sudden  light  appeared  in  the  girl's  eyes. 

"  Did  he  try  to  call  the  bet  off?  " 

"  Yes.     Low  down,  wasn't  it  ?  " 

"  Very  low  down,"  said  Eleanor,  the  light  grow- 
ing in  her  eyes  and  a  smile  playing  about  her  lips. 
"  And  he  wants  to  pay  up  ?  " 

"  Sure !  Two  days  later  —  willing  to  give  three 
hundred  to  *  call  the  thing  off '  as  he  put  it." 

"John,  if  you  had  any  sense  of  decency,  you'd 
shut  up." 

"Haven't  any,  old  man  —  bad  sporting  spirit, 
wasn't  it,  Miss  Marsten?" 

"Very  bad,"  and  she  smiled  softly. 

"You  wouldn't  do  it,  would  you?"  said 
John. 

142 


"  Never ! "     And  the  girl  shook  her  head. 

"May  I  have  some  more  tea?"  interrupted 
Stanley  stiffly. 

"  Nerves ! "  said  John  to  her  in  a  stage  whisper. 
"  He's  trying  tannin." 

"I  think  something  must  be  the  matter  with  his 
nerves,  really,"  said  Eleanor. 

"  Most  decidedly." 

"  Because  I  hear  he  is  a  great  automobilist  and 
he  only  took  me  one  ride  and  then  stopped  before 
we  got  half  way  and  tried  to  drive  home  in  a 
carriage." 

"  Did  he  really?  "  said  John,  looking  at  Gardner 
with  a  grin. 

"Yes!    And  now  he  won't  take  me  at  all." 

"The  motor's  out  of  order,"  said  Stanley 
quietly. 

"You're  an  idiot,  Stan." 

"Why?"  asked  Miss  Marsten  blandly. 

"Why  —  why,  because But  I  thought  you 

hated  motoring." 

"  How  extraordinary !  Why,  I  love  it.  Every 
woman  at  heart  loves  chance  and  risks  and  high 
speed." 

H3 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

John  whistled  softly  and  looked  at  Gardner 
again. 

"What's  the  matter  with  the  car?"  he  asked. 

"  Diaphragm." 

"How  long  does  it  take  to  get  another?"  asked 
Eleanor. 

"  About  a  week.  Are  you  going  over  to  the 
polo  this  afternoon  ?  " 

Miss  Marsten  laughed.  "Yes,  I  believe  Jim  is 
driving  us  all  over  if  there's  room.  You  two  are 
coming  to  dinner  to-night  ?  " 

"  I'm  afraid  I  can't,"  said  Stanley  lamely. 

"  And  you,  Mr.  Fredericks  ?  " 

"Of  course.  Never  decline  a  dinner  with  good 
food  and  good  company." 

"  You  might  put  the  company  first,"  said  she. 

As  they  went  out  she  turned  to  Stanley  and  said 
gently : 

"You  came  to  tea  at  my  request.  Would  it 
be  straining  the  influence  too  much  if  a  dinner 
request  comes  from  the  same  source?" 

"Would  it  be  too  much  to  ask  if  the  request 
comes  from  the  heart  of  the  source?" 

"Yes,  it  would." 

144 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"Would  it  be  discourteous  to  say  that  if  the 
source  lies  among  bitterroot,  I'm  not  man  enough 
to  taste  its  waters  ?  " 

"  Perhaps  —  maybe  the  source  —  how  do  you 
know  that  it  does  not  lie  among  violets?" 

"I  haven't  yet " 

"Smelt  the  violets?" 

"Well,  that  is  a  little " 

"  Come  and  make  a  try  —  will  you  ?  "  she  asked 
softly. 

"I'm  a  coward,  Miss  Marsten." 

"  So  I  see,"  said  she,  smiling  brightly  at  him. 

"  You  think  violets  bloom  there  ?  " 

"How  can  I  tell?  Faint  heart  never  picked 
them." 

"Then  I'll  be  brave." 

"And  come?" 

"And  come." 

With  a  little  involuntary  movement  she  held 
out  her  hand  to  him.  He  took  it  —  raised  it,  and 
then,  straightening  quickly,  dropped  it  and  was 
gone. 

As  she  stood  before  the  long  mirror  in  her  room 
just  before  dinner,  she  smiled  as  she  had  seldom 
14=5 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

smiled  before.  She  almost  laughed.  Then  a 
bright  little  glow  spread  over  her  face  and  neck, 
She  shook  her  finger  at  the  flushed  face  in  the 
mirror,  gave  a  little  feminine  touch  to  her  hairr 
and  ran  down  to  the  drawing-room  smiling 
still. 

Gardner  sat  late  that  night  in  the  club  with  a 
meditative  cigar.  He  could  not  join  the  usual 
game.  He  had  no  wish  to  talk  with  anybody.  It 
had  been  a  week  of  wretchedness  for  him,  yet  he 
could  only  blame  himself.  The  girl  had  taken 
the  whole  matter  in  such  a  well-bred  way ;  there 
had  been  no  complaint,  no  comment,  and  yet  she 
had  given  him  to  understand  that  he  might  as  well 
try  for  the  moon  as  for  her  confidence  and  good 
will.  And  it  began  to  dawn  upon  him  that  the 
confidence  of  this  sprightly  and  independent  girl 
was  beginning  to  mean  more  to  him  than  most 
things  in  life 

"  Telephone,  sir,"  said  a  boy. 

"Who?    What?"  cried  Stanley,  starting  up. 

"  Yes  ? "  said  he  into  the  transmitter,  "  Oh, 
halloa,  Jim,  what's  up?  —  No,  I'm  still  up,  smok- 
ing the  —  What?  —  certainly  I'll  be  there  in  a 
146 


A   BOX   OF    MATCHES 

jiffy.  What's  up?  All  right!  Right  off  — 
Good-bye ! "  And  he  hurriedly  put  on  his  hat  and 
crossed  the  lawn  to  the  Braveurs'  house.  In  the 
library  sat  Mrs.  Braveur  in  great  distress.  Jim 
walked  the  floor. 

"Here  he  is  at  last,"  cried  Lucy,  jumping  up, 
"  Jim,  tell  him  quick,"  and  the  young  wife's  anxious 
face  was  full  of  startled  surprise  and  grief. 

"  Eleanor  Marsten's  had  a  telegram.  Here  it  is 
—  from  someone  at  that  hotel  in  Brenton  — 
what's  the  name " 

"Waldemere?" 

"  That's  it.  You  see  it  says,  '  General  Marsten 
has  met  with  a  serious  accident.  Come  at  once. 
An  hour  may  make  difference'  —  I'd  like  to  kick 
the  dodo  that  sent  that  tactless  thing." 

"Where's  El  —  er  —  Miss  Marsten?"  demanded 
Stanley  abruptly. 

"  Upstairs  —  collapse  —  crazy  —  gone  off  her 
nerve.  But  Stanley,  here's  the  point.  She  can't 
get  there  till  nine  to-morrow  morning.  She's  got 
to  go  in  to  New  York  and  then  run  down  on  the 
other  line.  So  Lucy's  got  a  brave  idea.  You  are 
to  run  her  over  now  in  your  auto." 
H7 


A    BOX   OF    MATCHES 

For  an  instant  he  hesitated.  "Have  you  asked 
her?" 

"  Asked  her,  man !  Good  Lord !  She's  got  two 
maids  trying  to  keep  her  alive  now.  I  thought 
she  had  more  nerve."  A  telephone  bell  rang. 
"  There !  wait,  that's  the  Waldemere.  I'm  trying 
to  find  out  more."  In  a  moment  he  returned.  "  Of 
course  the  thing's  out  of  order.  Well,  what  do 
you  say,  Stan?" 

"  Why,  if  Miss  Marsten  wants  to  go,  I'm  ready, 
of  course." 

"  Get  here  as  soon  as  you  can,  then.  She'll  go, 
never  fear.  She  wanted  to  drive,  or  walk,  or  crawl 
there  a  minute  ago." 

Gardner  was  gone  before  he'd  finished.  Twenty 
minutes  later  the  huge  machine  with  its  five 
acetylene  eyes  stopped  at  the  door. 

"  Jim,"  said  Stanley  uncertainly,  as  the  former 
appeared  at  the  door  with  the  poor  girl  clothed  in 
a  long  dark  coat  and  heavily  veiled,  "  do  you  think 
you'd  better  run  her  over  yourself?" 

"Gad,  man,  what's  the  —  why  I  couldn't  run 
the  thing  in  the  night  at  all.  Why  ?  " 

"  I  thought,  perhaps,"  turning  to  Miss  Marsten, 


A   BOX   OF    MATCHES 

who   stood   with    Lucy's    arms    about    her,    "  Mis& 
Marsten  might  prefer " 

His  answer  came  from  the  girl  herself  in  a  voice 
that  quivered  with  grief  and  excitement. 

"  I  can't  go,  Lucy,  if  he  doesn't  want  to  take 
me.  I'll  —  I'll  stay,  and  try  to-  -" 

Stanley  was  out  on  the  steps  in  a  moment. 

"  Get  in  at  once,"  said  he  quickly,  and  before 
she  realised  what  had  happened  he  had  lifted  her 
into  the  seat  and  wrapped  a  thick  felt  apron  about 
her.  Then  in  the  same  tone,  "  Can  you  stand  the 
high  speed?" 

"  I  can  bear  anything  but  delay.  We've  lost  so 
much  time  now." 

"  Don't  worry,  please,"  said  Stanley  contritely, 

"we'll   get   there   all   right.      I   only    meant 

Good-bye,  people ! " 

"  Don't  try  too  much  speed,  Stan,"  called  Jim, 
as  he  and  his  wife  watched  the  searchlights  spring 
from  tree  to  tree  as  they  moved  out  of  the  avenue. 

"  What  do  you  think,  Jim  ? "  asked  Mrs. 
Braveur. 

"Think?      I   think   he'll   get   her   there   pretty 
quick  if  they  aren't  killed  on  the  road." 
149 


A   BOX   OF    MATCHES 

"Stupid.  I  don't  mean  that.  I  mean  what  do 
you  think  she's  at." 

"  She's  at  the  door  of  a  nervous  breakdown.  I'm 
glad  we've  got  her  out  of  the  house." 

"  I  don't  think  she'll  break  down,"  said  Lucy, 
smiling,  and  her  husband  could  not  get  another 
word  out  of  her  on  the  subject. 

Meantime  the  two  young  people  were  in  the  road 
in  a  few  moments.  Then  he  turned  to  her.  "  Listen 
carefully  now,  please.  Hold  hard  with  that  hand 
—  so  —  now  take  hold  of  this  bulb  —  that's  it  — 
press  "  —  a  hoarse  note  sounded  —  "  and  again. 
Keep  pressing  that  every  few  seconds.  If  any- 
thing goes  wrong,  touch  my  arm.  I  can't  pay  any 
attention  to  you  at  all.  Can  you  stand  it?" 

"Yes,"  said  a  voice  that  vibrated  with  emo- 
tion. 

"  Will  you  stop  me  if  I  go  too  fast  ?  " 

"Yes.  But  please  go  —  Oh,  won't  you  get  me 
there?" 

"  Never  fear,  Miss  Marsten,"  he  answered 
grimly.  "  I'll  get  you  there,  or  bust." 

The  car  jumped  forward  an  instant.  Then 
again  to  a  faster  speed;  and  then  with  a  wild 
150 


A   BOX   OF    MATCHES 

whirl  it  seemed  to  fly  from  a  stationary  position 
as  he  pushed  the  lever  forward  to  the  fourth  gear. 
The  man  leaned  low  over  his  wheel  with  his  eyes 
fastened  on  the  stretch  of  road  that  showed  before 
the  lamps.  The  girl  crouched  against  him 
involuntarily. 

A  hand  suddenly  closed  over  hers  in  the  dark- 
ness, lifted  it  and  placed  it  on  the  horn  bulb. 
Immediately  she  remembered  and  began  squeezing 
it,  her  eyes  fixed  on  the  bright  spot  of  road,  too. 
Everywhere,  all  else  was  blackness.  Suddenly  into 
the  light  rushed  something,  and  after  it  was  gone 
she  remembered  that  it  was  a  cart  with  one  horse. 

There  appeared  to  be  no  wind,  no  noise,  no  light 
nor  darkness  —  nothing  on  earth  but  that  white 
streak  of  road,  always  the  same,  into  which  flew  a 
house,  a  fence,  a  tree,  a  cart  that  was  gone  before 
it  could  be  recognised  or  placed  in  her  brain.  It 
seemed  as  if  she  could  not  stand  the  strange  silence. 
There  was  no  world  except  within  the  car.  There 
was  nothing  behind,  only  always  something  un- 
known in  front  —  the  strange,  fascinating  chance 
of  something  that  might  come  into  that  white  area 
and  for  once  be  dead  ahead  instead  of  on  one  side. 


It  seemed  as  if  she  could  not  bear  it.  She  wanted 
to  cry  out  —  she  did. 

"  Do  I  blow  hard  enough  ?  " 

The  round-shouldered  figure  beside  her  never 
moved. 

She  spoke  again  louder. 

Not  a  change.  He  sat  perfectly  still,  his  right 
hand  on  the  emergency  brake,  his  left  hand  on  the 
wheel;  his  jew  set,  his  eyes  at  the  mark  where  the 
bright  spot  constantly  opened  new  roadbed. 

She  touched  his  arm  almost  unconsciously. 

Instantly  the  brake  went  down,  the  power  off, 
and  the  hot  monster  came  to  a  panting  rest  so 
suddenly  that  it  threw  her  forward  on  the  motor, 

"Oh!"  cried  the  girl. 

"  What  is  it  ?  "  asked  Stanley  sharply. 

"Why  —  why  —  I  don't  know  —  I  wondered  if 
I  blew  the  horn  often  enough." 

"What's  the  real  trouble?"  he  demanded. 

"I  don't  know — I — think" — and  she  turned 
her  thickly -veiled  face  to  him  —  "I  think  I  was 
lonely.  Can't  you  —  er  —  talk  ?  " 

"Talk!  Why  good  Heavens,  girl,  if  there  was 
the  least  turn  of  this  wheel  —  the  least  bit  of  slip- 

152 


A   BOX   OF    MATCHES 

pery  road  —  any  kind  of  man,  woman,  child,  cart 
—  anything  coming  along,  we  would  — "  and  he 
laughed  hoarsely  — "  we'd  never  know  what  hit 
us."  She  shuddered.  "  But  don't  you  worry. 
Keep  on  blowing  the  horn.  Now,  look  out!" 
And  the  huge  monster  flew  on  again  through  the 
night,  rattling  and  wheezing  and  every  instant 
giving  forth  a  hoarse  uncanny  cry  under  the 
pressure  of  a  young  girl's  hand. 

Suddenly  a  hand  grasped  hers  and  held  the 
horn ;  Stanley  straightened  in  his  seat,  turned  his 
ear  forward,  and  sat  still  as  they  flew  along.  She 
did  not  move  and  in  a  moment  he  released  her 
hand.  In  a  dull  way  she  wondered  why  he  did 
it  —  and  they  flew  over  a  railroad  crossing. 

A  light  or  two  appeared  in  the  black  wall  which 
only  their  lanterns  pierced  —  the  crank  moved  — 
they  slowed  down,  and  then  seemed  to  fly  through 
a  little  village. 

Darkness  again,  and  the  same  dread  of  the 
loneliness  and  the  black,  silent,  hunch-backed 

figure  beside  her.     The  machine  slowed stopped 

—  Gardner  got  out. 

"What  is  it?"  whispered  the  terrified  girl. 
153 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"  Spark's  working  bad,"  he  muttered. 

"  Oh ! "  said  she,  understanding  nothing. 

She  watched  six  minutes  tick  off  on  the  clock. 
"Where  are  we?"  she  asked. 

"  Just  outside  Menton,"  he  answered  from  the 
front  of  the  car.  Then  as  he  got  in  again :  "  Hold 
hard,  now.  We've  got  a  perfectly  level  road  for 
nearly  all  the  rest  of  the  way." 

With  a  touch  of  the  crank  and  a  word  of 
encouragement  to  her  they  were  off  again.  The 
two  bent  forward,  the  horn  screamed  on  through 
the  night  and  nothing  but  the  fascination  of  that 
stream  of  light  interested  her  until  many  lights 
showed  far  ahead  and  he  slowed  down  to  a  speed 
that  seemed  like  crawling. 

She  turned  to  him. 

"Brenton,"  he  called  to  her,  and  before  she 
could  even  congratulate  herself  on  being  through 
with  it,  they  ran  into  a  great  court  and  pulled  up 
at  the  steps  of  a  hotel. 


154 


XIX 


"WELL,  Stanely,  you've  got  five  minutes,"  said 
John. 

Gardner  merely  shrugged  his  shoulders. 

John  was  celebrating  the  tenth  of  August  by 
giving  a  dinner  at  the  Naugatuck  Club  to  a  few 
people,  including  Jim  and  Mrs.  Braveur  and  Miss 
Marsten.  John  had  been  snubbed  once  or  twice 
within  the  last  two  weeks  and  Stanley  had  at  last 
given  up  trying  to  do  anything  but  wait  till  the 
time  was  up  and  then  pay  and  get  the  thing  over 
with.  Something  interested  him  much  more  now 
than  bets. 

"What  was  that?"  Miss  Marsten  asked,  turn- 
ing with  a  smile  to  her  host. 

"He's  got  that  bet  with  me  that's  up  at  five 
minutes  past  nine  to-night." 

"Tell  me  the  bet,"  pleaded  the  young  girl. 
She  was  flushed  and  nervous. 

"Never'd  do,"  said  John. 
155 


A   BOX   OF    MATCHES 

"By  the  way,  Mr.  Gardner,  the  other  night 
when  you  took  me  over  to  the  Waldemere  on  that 
terribly  exaggerated  telegram,  how  far  did  we 

go?" 

Stanley  moved  uneasily. 

"Why,  I  don't  quite  remember." 

"  Mr.  Gardner !  You  don't  remember  that 
ride?" 

"Of  course  I  do." 

"How  far  did  we  go?" 

"I  really  don't  know,"  said  Stanley. 

"  It's  a  good  sixty  miles,"  said  John.  "  Did  you 
go  in  Stanley's  auto  ?  " 

"  Yes." 

"Did  Stanley  run  it?" 

"  I  really  don't  remember,"  said  the  young  girl 
merrily.  "Did  you  run  it,  Mr.  Gardner?" 

He  looked  across  the  table  at  her  reproachfully. 

"Did  you?"     She  was  without  mercy. 

"  Yes." 

"And  how  long  did  it  take?"  asked  John 
anxiously. 

"  Three  hours  and  a  half,"  said  Stanley 
promptly. 

156 


A    BOX   OF    MATCHES 

"  That's  not  true,"  cried  the  girl,  surprised  for 
the  moment  out  of  herself.  "It  took  us  just  one 
hour  and  fifty-three  minutes,  Mr.  Fredericks," 
and  she  bowed  formally  to  him. 

"Stanley,  is  that  so?"  cried  John. 

U  T 5> 

"Will  you  deny  that  I  tell  the  truth,  sir?" 
And  the  girl's  face  and  voice  were  full  of  merri- 
ment again. 

"Come,  Stan,  speak  up!"  cried  John. 

"  It  wouldn't  be  polite,  John,  to  contra- 
dict  " 

"Did  you  do  sixty  in  1  :53?" 

"Oh,  never  mind;  I'm  interested  in  Mr. 
Gardner's  bet.  When  does  he  win  or  lose  ? " 
And  Miss  Marsten's  face  was  a  study. 

"  Why  —  why  —  '  began  the  bewildered  John, 
"he's  got  a  couple  of  minutes  yet,"  and  as  they 
rose  from  the  table,  she  turned  to  him  and 
asked  blandly,  "Won't  you  tell  me  what  the  bet 
is?" 

"  Stan,"  said  John  in  the  smoking-room, 
"  here's  your  three  hundred." 

"It  isn't  mine,  John.  I  didn't  earn  it.  Take 
157 


A   BOX   OF    MATCHES 

it  to  Miss  Marsten,  she's  out  on  the  piazza.     She'll 
understand." 

"Good  Lord,  man,  did  she  know?" 

"  Give  it  to  her  and  say  I  said  it  wasn't 
mine." 

In  a  moment  John  returned. 

"  She  wants  you  out  there  —  and  I  say,  Stan, 
she  took  it  all  right,  but  I'll  be " 

Gardner  did  not  wait. 

On  the  piazza  he  could  not  find  her.  He 
moved  to  the  further  end.  Out  on  the  lawn  he 
saw  a  white  gown  disappearing  toward  the  Bra- 
veur  house,  evidently  in  some  haste.  He  ran 
forward  and  as  he  caught  up  to  her  she  stopped 
as  if  out  of  breath. 

"Miss  Marsten,  will  you  answer  me  one 
question  ?  " 

"  Here  are  three  hundred  dollars  that  belong  to 
you,"  said  she,  holding  the  money  toward  him,  but 
without  looking  at  him. 

"Will  you  answer  me  one  question?"  he 
persisted. 

"Will  you  take  this  —  this  blood  money?" 

"No,  I  won't." 

158 


"Then  I  won't  answer  any  question,"  and  she 
started  to  move  on. 

"Wait  a  moment!  Please!"  he  asked,  follow- 
ing by  her  side. 

"  Well,  sir,"  and  she  stopped  suddenly  and 
looked  straight  into  his  eyes.  Yet  there  was 
something  in  the  man's  face  that  made  her  look 
down  at  the  money  she  held. 

"Will  you  answer  me  one  question?" 

"Why  should  I  answer  a  question  from  a  man 
who  —  bets " 

"Look  at  me!" 

"I  won't." 

He  took  the  hand  that  held  the  money  —  held  it 
tightly. 

"Was  your  father  iU  at  all?" 

She  tried  to  draw  her  hand  away. 

"Was  he?" 

"Not  very.     But " 

"Did  he  send  that  telegram?" 

"I  will  not " 

"Did  he?" 

"No,"  with  hanging  head. 

"Was  he  at  the  hotel  at  all  —  *top,  Eleanor, 
159 


A   BOX   OF    MATCHES 

you  can't  get  away.     I've  got  you  now.     Tell  me, 
you  bad  child — was  he  at  the  hotel  at  all?  " 

She  stood  quite  still  now. 

"No." 

"Why  did  you  do  it?" 

She  moved  away  from  him,  alert,  like  a  bird 
ready  to  fly  at  the  first  chance. 

"I  didn't  like  being  bet  about,"  she  murmured. 
"It  was " 

"Why  did  you  send  that  bogus  telegram?" 

No  answer,  only  a  guilty  but  instantly  defeated 
movement  toward  escape.  "Did  you  want  me  to 
win  it?" 

"I  —  I  thought  —  it  was  a  good  deal  of 
money " 

"  By  George,"  cried  the  man,  "  you've  got  more 
nerve  than  any  girl  I  ever  knew.  Eleanor!" 

No  answer. 

"Eleanor!" 

She  looked  up  at  him. 

"Will  you  sit  on  that  big  seat  and  let  me  —  let 
me  —  er  —  tell  you  a  story  ?  " 

There  was  a  pause. 

"Mrs.  Braveur  said " 

160 


A   BOX   OF    MATCHES 


"Well?" 
"That  —  that- 


"  Did  she  say  anything  against  me  ?  " 

"Xo,  no!"  and  the  girl  looked  up  at  him 
quickly. 

"  Sit  down  here  by  me." 

As  she  sat  down  he  took  both  her  hands  in  his 
and  looked  at  her.  Their  eyes  met  for  an  instant 
and  then — suddenly,  without  any  cause,  they 
both  laughed,  though  one  laugh  was  very  near 
tears. 

"Will  you  forgive  me?"  asked  the  man,  leaning 
forward. 

"I  don't  know  —  I  suppose  —  perhaps  you 
didn't " 

"And  my  story?" 

A  pause. 

"My  story?" 

She  raised  her  eyes  to  his  —  eyes  bright  with 
tears  and  said  not  a  word. 

"Eleanor,  dear,  I " 


161 


xx 


IT  was  a  long  time  before  that  story  was  for- 
gotten in  Naugatuck.  That  a  man  should  bet 
about  a  girl  he  had  never  seen  and  then  actually 
persuade  her  to  marry  him,  reflected  on  the  girl  in 
the  minds  of  people  who  did  not  know  her,  and 
reflected  on  the  man  in  the  minds  of  those  who  did. 
But  Lucy  Braveur's  opinion  was  that  it  was  one  of 
those  predestined  matches  that  no  one  except 
Heaven  had  anything  to  do  with,  unless  possibly 
herself.  When  the  dreadful  bet  was  finally  for- 
gotten, however,  the  cause  was  not  an  ordinary 
wearing  out  of  gossip,  but  another  and  rather 
astounding  episode  in  the  Naugatuck  colony 
which,  though  the  constable  and  the  family  tried 
to  keep  it  quiet,  leaked  out  in  about  three  days 
after  it  happened. 

They  were  at  luncheon,  sitting  on  the  piazza 
of  the  Naugatuck  Club  that  faces  the  bay.     That 
was  a  pretty  scheme  somebody  invented  of  screen- 
162 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

ing  off  part  of  the  veranda  and  making  a  summer 
dining-room  out  of  it. 

"  Now  that  we've  had  a  good  lunch,  Lucy,  will 
you  kindly  tell  us  why  you've  brought  us  over 
here?"  asked  Mrs.  Winston. 

"It's  the  industrial  problem  of  the  hour,"  put 
in  her  husband. 

Mrs.  Braveur  nodded  her  head. 

"What  do  you  mean?" 

"  I  mean,"  said  the  hostess,  "  that  by  this  time 
our  entire  domestic  service  has  probably  left." 

"And  a  good  job,  too,"  muttered  Braveur. 

"  Do  you  know,"  admitted  little  Eleanor  Win- 
ston, "  it's  perfectly  terrible.  I  can't  get  a  single 
servant  to  do " 

"  Hello,"  said  Winston.  "  Who's  this  coming 
in?" 

They  all  turned  towards  the  bay  and  saw  a 
huge  white  steam  yacht  evidently  making  for  the 
club  anchorage. 

"She's  flying  the  British  flag." 

"  Some  chartered  yacht,  probably,  but  I  don't 
know  her,"  and  Winston  took  up  the  field  glasses 
lying  on  the  railing. 

163 


A   BOX   OF    MATCHES 

"Kitty,"  said  Mrs.  Braveur,  leaning  forward 
towards  her  young  guest,  "  maybe  it's  your  lord." 

"Of  course.  How  stupid  of  me!'*  said 
Braveur.  "  It's  young  Lochinvar  come  out  of 
the  East  in  search  of  his  Faerie  Queene." 

"  If  you  people  make  any  more  fun  of  me,  I'll 
—  I'll " 

"You'll  invite  us  to  the  castle  once,  Kitty, 
won't  you?" 

"  Stop  it,  Jim  Braveur ! "  commanded  the 
young  woman. 

"We're  not  in  this.  Who's  the  lord?"  asked 
Winston. 

"Wait,  George,  I'll  tell  you " 

"You'll  do  nothing  of  the  kind,  Jim,"  cried 
Miss  Bartlett. 

"Why  not?" 

"  Because  you've  made  quite  enough  fun  of  a 
perfectly  —  perfectly " 

"Beautiful  idyll?" 

"  Harmless  episode,  sir ! " 

"  But  what's  the  episode,"  demanded  Winston. 

"Why  I  —  that  is,  last  summer " 

"  George,  listen  while  I  tell  you  a  tale  of 

164 


A    BOX   OF    MATCHES 

"Jim!"  cautioned  his  wife. 

"  I  was  in  Nice,"  continued  Miss  Bartlett,  dis- 
daining to  notice.  "And " 

"And  as  she  sat  upon  the  dewy  banks  of  Nice 
there  came  a  noble  warrior  of  the  British  Isles — • 
stately  —  and " 

"Stately   rubbish!"  sniffed  Miss  Bartlett. 

"No  doubt,  that's  what  most  of  them  are." 

"He's  a  very  nice,  unaffected  man,  and " 


"And,"  continued  Braveur,  while  his  wife  tried 
to  signal  him,  "and  Lochinvar  made  desperate 
love  to  the  Faerie " 

"  He  did  nothing  of  the  sort,  Mr.  Winston  — • 
Lucy,  stop  him!"  and  Mistress  Kitty's  cheeks 
seemed  to  hint  at  a  perfunctory  denial. 

"And " 

"Jim,  stop!"  commanded  his  lady.  "I'll  tell 
this." 

"Oh,"  wailed  the  girl.  "Here  it  is  all  over 
again." 

"Kitty  met  Lord  Ackton  —  you  know,  the 
great  sportsman." 

"  Sportsman ! "  exclaimed  Winston.     "  I  should 
say  he  was.     He's  the  best  shot  in  England." 
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"Well,  he  made  a  good  shot  at  Nice  —  he  met 
Kitty.  And  Jim  has  amused  himself  ever  since 
at  her  expense,  you  see.  It  seems  that  he  was 
very  devoted,  and  —  Kitty  was  rather  taken  — 

"  She's  going  to  stop,"  remarked  Miss  Bartlett 
pointedly. 

"Who,  you?" 

"The  yacht." 

They  watched  the  boat  drop  her  big  mud  hook 
and  then  saw  two  men  come  down  the  gangway 
and  board  a  launch.  The  little  puffing  boat  made 
the  landing  stage  and  the  two  men  walked  up  the 
steps  to  the  clubhouse  piazza. 

"Why  it's  Freddy  Chisholm,"  said  Braveur. 

"  Of  course,  I  remember  he  chartered  an  English 
boat  this  spring." 

Suddenly  Miss  Bartlett  clutched  Mrs.  Bra- 
veur's  arm. 

"  Lucy,"  whispered  the  girl,  "  it  is!  " 

"You  don't  mean  to  say ' 

"  Where  on  earth  did  he  come  from  ?  " 

"  Oh,"  cried  the  little  match-maker,  immediately 
interested.  "  How " 

"Please  keep  quiet,"  whispered  the  terrified  girl. 
1 66 


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"Promise  me  not  to  say  a  word  until — until  he 
comes  here  —  promise!" 

"All  right,  dear.     I  won't." 

The  two  men  went  into  the  clubhouse  and 
suddenly  appeared  in  the  summer  dining-room. 
They  glanced  at  the  only  other  party  lunching 
there  and  the  shorter  of  the  two  cried  out: 

"Hello,  Jim!  —  how  de  do,  Mrs.  Braveur  — 
well,  this  is  very  nice.  We  just  came  in  for  lunch 
—  let  me  introduce  Mr.  Stuart." 

Mrs.  Braveur  started.  Mrs.  Winston  bowed. 
Miss  Katherine  Bartlett,  who  had  just  caught  the 
tall  Englishman's  eye,  suddenly  stiffened. 

"  How  do  you  do,  Lord "  but  a  look  in  his 

face  stopped  her,  and  she  watched  him  as  he  shook 
hands  with  the  others.  Then  in  a  moment  he 
turned  to  her  and  said  in  a  low  voice: 

"Don't  be  surprised.  I'm  Mr.  Stuart  for  the 
time  being." 

"But  aren't  you " 

"Don't  I  look  like  the  man  in  Nice?" 

"  Yes." 

"Then  perhaps  I'm  both  —  the  other  for  the 
moment." 

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'A'  BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"But " 

"Are  you  glad  to  see  me?  I've  come  a  long 
way,  you  know." 

"  And  changed  your  name  en  route"  She  was 
not  easy  and  naturally  became  formal. 

"  May  I  talk  to  you  about  it  by  and  by." 

"Ye — es,  I  suppose  so." 

"Just  for  the  sake  of  old  times?" 

"  It  was  only  last  winter." 

"  But  it  seems  so  long  since " 

Mistress  Kitty  was  a  vigorous  yaung  person 
with  a  mind  of  her  own  and  she  could  not  under- 
stand a  peer  of  England  not  wanting  to  be  known 
as  such.  If  she  were  a  peeress,  she'd  —  well 

After  luncheon,  having  accepted  Freddy's  invi- 
tation to  run  out  with  him  on  the  Many  ana  —  her 
owner  had  named  her  that  because  he  always 
maintained  that  one  should  never  do  anything 
to-day  that  could  possibly  be  put  off  until  to- 
morrow—  after  luncheon  Mrs.  Braveur  and  her 
young  guest  walked  over  to  her  house  to  see  if" 
there  were  any  servants  left. 

"Kitty,  what  does  this  mean?"     There  was  a 
hint  of  the  matron  speaking  to  her  charge. 
1 68 


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"He's  Lord  Ackton,  Lucy.  Don't  you  sup- 
pose I  know  ?  " 

"  Did  you  see  much  of  him  in  Nice  ?  " 

"I  —  I  —  Lucy,  I  saw  him  every  single  day  for 
three  months." 

"  And  sometimes  more  than  once  a  day?  " 

The  girl's  eyes  looked  down  for  an  instant,  and 
then  turned  straight  to  her  friend. 

"  Yes,  frequently  twice  and  sometimes  —  some- 
times three  times." 

"What  under  the  sun  was  your  father  doing 
all  this  time?" 

A  faint  smile  wrinkled  the  corners  of  the  pretty 
mouth. 

"  Father  hasn't  —  didn't  have  overmuch  to  say 
about  it,  Lucy  dear." 

"  I'll  have  to  talk  to  that  father  of  yours." 

"  Dear  Dad ! "  said  the  girl  softly. 

"  But  why  does  Lord  Ackton  travel  incog.  ? " 

"I  don't  know,  Lucy." 

"Didn't   he  -explain?" 

"  He  couldn't  there.     He  said  he  would." 

"Kitty,"  said  Mrs.  Braveur  with  great  solem- 
nity, "did  —  do  you  like  him  very  much?" 
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A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

There  was  a  pause  as  they  stood  on  the  Braveurs' 
piazza.     "You  don't  want  to  tell?" 

"I  don't  know." 

"You    don't    know    whether    you're    in  —  that 


"No,  I  don't." 

"And  he?" 

"  He  —  he  was  very  silly  and  foolish,"  yet  there 
was  a  bright  light  in  a  pair  of  eyes  which  did  not 
meet  those  of  the  young  married  woman  who  never 
failed  to  get  interested  in  this  particular  game. 

"And  perhaps  you  told  him  you  didn't  know?" 

"Perhaps  I  did." 

"  I  see!  "  exclaimed  Lucy  as  she  entered  the 
hall. 


170 


XXI 


"DO  you  mind  the  shake?"  asked  Chisholm  as 
they  sat  at  dinner  that  evening  in  the  deck  saloon 
of  the  yacht  as  she  ran  down  the  sound. 

"Not  at  all." 

"  Where'd  you  get  this  ship,  anyway,  Freddy  ?  " 
asked  Winston. 

"  She  belongs  to  a  mighty  fine  fellow  named 
Majoribanks.  I  knew  him  a  little  and  we  cooked 
it  up  together." 

"Is  he  an  Englishman?"  asked  Mrs.  Winston. 

"Yes,  and  a  fine  chap  —  a  good  shot  —  game 
for  anything." 

Mrs.  Winston  looked  first  at  Miss  Bartlett  and 
then  at  Lucy  Braveur  before  she  asked  mischievi- 
ously : 

"  I  wonder  if  he  knows  a  Lord  Ackton  ?  " 

The  result  was  worth  the  question.     Mrs.  Bra- 
veur  jumped.     Kitty    gazed   suddenly   out   upon 
the  sound.    Mr.  Stuart  looked  at  her  quickly. 
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"Indeed  he  does  and  so  does  Stuart  here." 

"You  know  Lord  Ackton?"  asked  Mrs.  Win- 
ston. 

"  Yes,  a  little." 

"Tell  us  about  him." 

"  Oh,  he's  the  ordinary  sort,  you  know.    Why?" 

"Because  a  very  important  —  because  a  friend 
of  ours  knows  him." 

"  He  isn't  overmuch,"  said  the  Englishman 
quietly. 

Lucy  was  watching  carefully  and  so  was 
another  fair  person  there,  as  the  big  engines 
throbbed  on. 

"And  that  friend,"  said  Braveur,  "is  in  our 
midst.  The  truth  is,  Freddy  -  - " 

"  Jim ! "  said  Lucy. 

"What's  the  matter?"   asked  Freddy. 

"  I  am  cautioned  not  to  go  on,"  answered  Bra- 
veur solemnly.  "  But  nevertheless,  Frederick,  I 
will  say  to  you  in  confidence  that  Miss  Bart- 
lett  met  a  man  who  bears  that  name,  last  win- 
ter  " 

"Well,  he  must  be  a  good  fellow,  for  Marjori- 
banks  speaks  well  of  him;  Stuart  came  with  a 
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A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

letter  of  introduction  from  him,  and  everybody 
knows  his  sporting  abilities." 

"  He  has  other  qualities,  Freddy,"  said  Jim. 

"  Miss  Bartlett  says "  but  some  expression  in 

the  girl's  face  stopped  him  there. 

"And  what  did  Miss  Bartlett  say  of  him?" 
asked  Stuart. 

"  He  is  a  friend  of  yours  ?  " 

"  I  know  him  pretty  well." 

"  You  don't  mind  the  awful  sayings  of  a  girl  — 
an  American  girl  ?  " 

"  Not  at  all.  I'm  over  here,  you  know,  to  see 
America." 

"Well,  the  American  girl  is  the  principal  part 
of  it." 

"Rather!" 

"Miss  Bartlett  says  he  charmed  —  er  —  the 
whole  Riviera " 

"  I  never  said  any  such  thing,  Jim  Bra- 
veur ! " 

"  Don't  you  remember  the  time  you  told 
me " 

"No,  I  don't!" 

"  You  know,  Stuart,  these  girls  of  ours  are 
173 


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always  looking  for  titles.  And  when  Miss 
Bartlett  met  this  title,  she " 

"  Jim,  I'm  ashamed  of  you !  It  isn't  true,  Mr. 
Stuart."  And  Lucy  tried  in  vain  to  change  the 
subject. 

"  You  see,  you'll  have  a  hard  time  here." 

"  So  I  understand,"  laughed  the  Englishman. 

"  You  ought  to  have  hired  a  title  before  you 
left  home." 

"  We'll  make  up  one  for  him  now,"  suggested 
Freddy.  "  He  can  be  Lord  Manyana." 

"  Something  like  that  is  necessary.  Don't  you 
think  so,  Kitty?" 

That  young  person  had  been  silent  for  a  while, 
trying  to  look  unconcerned. 

"  I  think "  she  now  said  in  a  clear  voice, 

"  that  as  a  title  is  usually  inherited,  those  who 
have  them  would  do  well  to  keep  them." 

"  What's  that  to  do  with  this  question  ? " 
demanded  Braveur  in  argumentative  fashion. 

"  You  say  I  like  titles.  I  don't  know  why  I 
should,  but  I  certainly  think  an  Englishman  with 
a  title  owns  it.  If  it  belongs  to  him,  why  shouldn't 
he  have  it?  " 

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A    BOX   OF    MATCHES 

"That's  Braveur's  point,"  said  Freddy.  "He 
says  you  want  it." 

"I  want  it?" 

"Well,  I  mean  American  girls." 

"You  know  it's  impossible  to  grasp  the  mental 
workings  of  these  American  beauties,  Stuart,"  and 
Freddy  began  to  feel  that  he  was  leading  the  con- 
versation. "  They'll  switch  around  any  min- 
ute  " 

"As  for  example,"  continued  Braveur,  "here 
we've  been  hearing  about  the  Riviera  Lord,  for 
months,  and  now  he  says  she  never  mentioned 
it." 

Stuart  looked  across  the  table,  and  there  was 
the  ghost  of  a  twinkle  in  his  eyes. 

"Did  you  like  Ackton,  Miss  Bartlett?" 

"  You  know  him,  don't  you  ?  " 

"  Oh,  well,  you  know,  I'm  a  man." 

"Isn't  he?" 

"Yes,  but  you're  not." 

"  No,  thank  Heaven !  If  I  were,  I'd  tell  him  a 
few  truths  when  I  saw  him." 

"Why  can't  you  as  a  woman?" 

"Because  I  don't  know  him  at  all  well,  and  a 
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A   BOX   OF    MATCHES 

woman  must  know  a  man  very  well,  Mr.  Stuart, 
to  tell  him  the  truth." 

"Then  you  don't  like  him?" 

"  I  don't  like  some  things  I've  heard  of  his 
doing." 

"  But  what  earthly  difference  can  that  make  to 
him?"  asked  Winston. 

"  It  might  make  considerable  difference,"  said 
Stuart  seriously. 

"  Not  now,  anyway,"  put  in  Freddy.  "  He's 
going  to  marry  some  peach-and-cream  daughter 
of  another  thousand-year-old  house." 

"Who?"  asked  Stuart  suddenly. 

"  I  don't  know,  but  I  heard  somewhere,  or  read 
somewhere  that  there  was  a  row  and  that  he'd  got 
to  give  in  and  please  mamma." 

"  Not  if  I  know  the  man ! "  And  Stuart's 
square  jaws  set.  Mistress  Kitty,  angry  all 
through  —  she  could  not  have  told  why  —  watched 
this  conversation  with  a  strange  sensation. 

"He'll  make  a  hard  husband  to  manage,  I'm 
thinking,"  added  Freddy. 

"Why?"  Again  Stuart's  monosyllabic  ques- 
tion came  sharply. 

176 


A    BOX   OF    MATCHES 

"  Oh,  you  know  him — I  don't.  But  I  hear  he 
can  go  it  pretty  strong.  His  wife  '11  have  to 
accept  a  few  things." 

"  His  wife  will  have  to  accept  him,  won't 
she?" 

"And  what  comes  with  him,  eh?" 

"Well,  I'm  prejudiced.     I  know  him  too  well." 

"Tell  us  about  him,  Mr.  Stuart.  What  sort 
of  a  man  is  he  ?  " 

"  I  turn  that  question  over  to  Miss  Bartlett," 
said  he,  bowing. 

Miss  Bartlett  was  by  this  time  quite  equal  to  it. 

"He's  tall,  and  good-looking,"  said  she,  much 
to  Stuart's  embarrassment.  "  He  leads  a  fast  life, 
spends  all  his  money,  and  is  an  abominable  flirt." 

"You  know  that,  Miss  Bartlett?" 

"  Some  of  it,  and  I've  heard  the  rest." 

"  Poor  Ackton,"  said  Stuart.  "  I'm  sorry  for 
him  —  getting  such  a  ragging  away  out  here  in 
America." 

"  Doesn't  he  deserve  it  ?  " 

"Well,  you  know,  as  I  said,  I'm  a  bit  preju- 
diced. 

"Why  don't  you  defend  him,  then?" 
177 


He  hesitated  a  moment,  looking  down  at  his 
plate,  and  then  said: 

"  He  may  be  a  bit  of  a  sport,  you  know,  but  I 
don't  think  —  that  is  —  er  —  I  think  he's  doing 
his  best.  That's  something,  isn't  it?" 

"  Not  much,"  and  she  rose  with  the  others  to  go 
on  deck. 

It  was  a  fine,  clear  night,  with  no  wind  except 
that  made  by  the  great  white  yacht  as  she  ran 
steadily  up  the  sound  towards  the  club.  Here  and 
there  the  lights  of  craft  moving  east  and  west 
shone  out  like  bright  yellow  eyes,  and  the  long, 
low  line  of  the  land  on  either  side  was  just  visible 
in  the  light  of  a  new  moon. 

The  lady  who  was  supposed  to  be  fond  of  lords 
walked  aft  from  the  saloon  and  stood  by  the  rail 
watching  the  wake,  feeling  the  shake  of  the  screw 
as  it  worked  steadily  on.  She  was  not  over-satis- 
fied with  herself,  and  she  certainly  had  a  grievance 
against  the  person  who  chose  to  be  known  as 
Stuart. 

Was  he  Stuart  or  Ackton?  That  was  wheat 
crept  into  her  mind.  She  knew  he  had  been 
called  the  latter  at  Nice,  yet  she  had  heard  stories 

178 


and  read  novels  wherein  European  adventurers 
passed  on  the  Riviera  for  noblemen,  when  they 
were  nothing  but  thieves.  To  be  sure  they 
usually  had  black  whiskers,  while  this  one  had  a 
smooth  face  and  the  real  Saxon  head  of  hair  —  if 
there  ever  was  one.  And  presently  the  Saxon 
head  came  near  her  and  its  owner  leaned  on  the 
rail. 

Nothing  was  said  for  a  while  as  the  boat  sped 
on.     Then : 

"Are  you  angry  with  me?" 

"Why  should  I  be?     I  don't  know  you." 

"  Of  course  you  do.     You  saw  me  every  day  for 
three  months." 

"  I  met  a  man  called  Ackton  on  the  Riviera." 

"  And  does  a  name  change  the  man  ?  " 

"  It  certainly  changes  my  feeling  towards  the 
man." 

"It     can't     possibly     be     because     there's     no 
title." 

"You  are  quite  at  liberty  to  think  so  if  you 
choose,"  loftily. 

"  That  would  be  silly !     But  why  are  you  angry, 
then?" 

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A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"  It  would  not  seem  difficult  to  imagine." 

"Upon  my  word,  I  can't." 

"  I  meet  a  man  named  Smith  in  Europe,  and 
see  a  great  deal  of  him,  and  —  and " 

"And  like  him?" 

"I  didn't  say  so." 

"You  said " 

"  I  was  going  to  say  that  he  seemed  a  cul- 
tivated |  man,  and  I  —  I  —  well,  yes,  I  liked 
him." 

"Then?" 

"Then  I  meet  him  in  New  York,  and  his  name 
is  Jones.  I  ask  why?" 

"And  if  he  cannot  answer?" 

"  Then  what  can  I  do  but  say,  '  He  is  conceal- 
ing something.  He  is  disguising  himself.  There 
must  be  something  wrong,  and  I  —  I  feel •  " 

"Sorry?" 

"You  seem  to  think  you  know  what  I'm  going 
to  say." 

"I  seem  to  think,  Miss  Bartlett,  I  knew  and 
thought  a  great  deal  of  a  certain  girl,  and  that 
perhaps  I  learned  her  ways  of  thinking  better 
than  she  knew." 

1 80 


A    BOX   OF    MATCHES 

"Well,  in  this  case  you're  in  error,  because  I 
was  going  to  say  that  I  feel  a  certain  lack  of  in- 
terest in  any  man  who  does  such  things." 

"Might  Smith  not  have  a  reason  he  could  not 
tell  you?" 

"  Certainly." 

"Then  why  lose  interest?" 

"  Because  if  he  changes  his  name  and  leaves  his 
country  for  a  reason  he  cannot  tell  me,  it  must  be 
a  reason  that  would  make  it  impossible  for  me  to 
know  him,  and " 

"And?" 

"  If  all  this  is  so,  I  should  turn  to  him,"  and  she 
did,  looking  straight  into  his  eyes,  "  and  say  to 
him,  '  Mr.  Jones,  you  are  either  a  bad  man  cr  you 
ought  to  be  ashamed  of  yourself."' 

"  I'm  glad  you  like  me,  anyway,"  said  he,  smil- 
ing in  spite  of  himself. 

"I  don't  understand,"  severely. 

"You  said  in  the  saloon  that  you  couldn't  tell 
the  truth  to  a  man  unless  you  liked  him." 

"That's   silly!     I  said " 

"Oh,  no  fear!  I  know  what  you  said  — 
everything  you've  ever  said  to  me,  I  think."  She 
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A   BOX   OF    MATCHES 

looked  down  at  the  water  racing  by.  "Do  you 
remember  a  certain  little  talk  we  had " 

"Lord  Ackton  and  I  had-    -" 

"At  tea  in  your  father's  apartments  in  Nice  ?  " 

"No,  I've  forgotten  it." 

"Forgotten  that  I  told  you  some  views  of  mine 
regarding  someone  ?  " 

«  Absolutely." 

"Forgotten  that  I  said  then  that  I'd  follow  you 
to  Kamschatkha  until  —  until " 

"I've  forgotten  it." 

"You're  a  bit  hard,  Miss  Bartlett,"  said  the 
man. 

"Tell  me,  who  is  Mr.  Stuart?"  asked  she,  turn- 
ing suddenly,  "  and  perhaps  I  can  remember 
better." 

"  He  is  a  man  you  were  willing  to  receive  four 
months  ago." 

"Why  is  he  going  under  an  assumed  name?" 

"  I'll  tell  you  some  day." 

"Why  bother?" 

"  But  I'm  going  to,"  said  he  abruptly.  "  Par- 
don me,  I  didn't  mean  that.  Look  here,  Miss 
Bartlett,  I  am,  for  a  reason  which  you  will  ap- 

182 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

prove,  dropping  my  name  for  the  moment.     Can't 
you  trust  me?" 

"  Why  should  I  more  than  anyone  else  ?  " 
"  Because    I   had   hoped   you    thought   more  — 
that  is,  I  wished  you  might  be  willing  to  take  my 
word." 

"  It  isn't  fair,  Lord  Ackton.  You  don't  trust  me." 
"  I  do !     I  do !     But  you  are  one  of  the  two 
people  in  this  world  I  can't  tell  this  to  now." 
"  Can  you  blame  me,  then  ?  " 
"  No,  but  I  hoped  you  were  different." 
"I  —  I  wish  you'd  tell  me,"  murmured  the  girl. 
;<I  don't  want  to-    -" 
"I  will  tell  you  soon." 
"  Let  us  wait,  then." 

And  they  watched  the  boat  slow  down  and  stop 
just  off  the  club.  And  then  they  prepared  for 
shore.  Stuart  had  accepted  Jim  Braveur's  invi- 
tation to  spend  a  day  or  two  with  them,  and  the 
party  left  Chisholm  on  board,  as  he  was  leaving  at 
once  for  New  York  with  the  promise  of  returning 
in  a  couple  of  days. 

As  they  landed  on  the  float  a  gray-whiskered 
countryman  approached  the  Englishman. 
183 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"Are  you  Mr.  William  Stuart,  sir?" 

"  That  is  my  name." 

"May  I  speak  with  you  a  moment?" 

"Just  as  soon  as  I  have  escorted  these  ladies 
to  the  club." 

"Lucy,  there's  something  wrong,"  said  Jim, 
after  the  Winstons  had  left,  and  the  Braveurs 
were  starting  towards  their  house. 

"  Why  ?  "  asked  she  quickly. 

"  Don't  you  know  who  that  man  was  ?  " 

"No,  who  is  he?" 

"  He's  the  town  sheriff." 

"Jim,  what  does  it  mean?"  She  might  know 
better  than  he. 

Suddenly  Mistress  Kitty  remembered  something 
she  had  left  at  the  lunch  table  and  ran  into  the  club 
to  get  it.  As  she  came  out  on  the  other  side  of 
the  house,  she  stopped  suddenly  and  held  her  breath. 

"You  say  you  are  William  Stuart?"  she  heard 
the  sheriff  ask. 

"Yes,"  the  Englishman  answered.  *'What  is 
it,  my  man  ?  " 

"You  came  over  in  the  Oceanic,  from  England 
and  arrived  last  Thursday  ?  " 
184 


A   BOX   OF    MATCHES 

Yes,  yes.     But  I'm " 


"I'm  sorry,  sir,  but  I  have  an  order  from  New 
York  to  arrest  you  on  sight." 

"  What?  " 

"  Here  it  is,"  and  he  showed  him  the  paper. 

There  was  silence  for  a  moment  as  the  girl's 
figure  seemed  to  turn  to  stone. 

"  What  am  I  to  do  ? "  asked  the  other  voice 
presently. 

"  You'll  have  to  come  to  the  town  j  ail  for  the 
night  and  go  up  with  me  to  the  city  in  the 
morning." 

"  Can't  you  take  my  word  that  I'll  come  to  you 
in  the  morning?" 

"  No,  sirree !     I  can't." 

*'  Can  I  pay  something  and  get  bail  ?  " 

"  Not  on  this  order." 

Another  pause. 

"Then  I'll  go  with  you,  but  please  let  us  go  as 
quietly  as  possible." 

There    she    stood    silently    watching    the    two 

figures    walking    down    the    avenue.     Jail !     Jail ! 

An   assumed   name,    and   a   telegram   from    police 

headquarters  in  New  York!     The  man  must  be  a 

185 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

murderer  escaped  from  England.  How  horrible! 
and  she  had  —  she  had  known  him  well  and  told 
him  of  herself,  and  he  had  —  it  was  horrible! 
horrible!  She  put  her  hands  to  her  hot  face  and 
ran  across  the  lawn  to  the  Braveurs',  and  went  up 
to  her  room. 


186 


XXII 


THE  girl  was  no  weakling  and  she  sat  there  and 
thought  over  the  months  in  which  she  had  grown 
to  know  the  man  so  well,  of  the  people  who  had 
seen  him  and  known  him  —  and  now  he  was  in  jail 
—  the  horrid  little  jail  that  had  been  pointed  out 
to  her  in  the  village.  She  sat  down  on  the  bed 
and  put  her  face  in  her  hands  and  thought  and 
thought. 

Suddenly  she  got  up  with  a  strange  light  in  her 
eyes.  She  ran  over  to  the  bureau  and  took  from 
her  purse  a  cheque  for  two  hundred  dollars  with  her 
father's  name  at  the  bottom  of  it.  She  searched 
further  and  found  another.  Then  she  took  out 
some  bills  and  made  nearly  one  hundred  more. 

Opening  the  door  softly  and  finding  all  dark 
and  still,  she  put  on  her  wrap  again,  tiptoed  down- 
stairs and  let  herself  out  of  the  house.  For 
twenty  minutes  she  walked  and  ran  along  the 
country  road  to  the  village,  and  finally  came  to 
187 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

the  low  stone  and  brick  building  with  barred  win- 
dows. There  was  a  light  in  a  window  by  the 
door. 

The  girl  stopped  and  put  her  hand  once  to  her 
throat.  Then  she  knocked  on  the  door. 

There  was  no  answer. 

She  knocked  louder,  and  finally  heard  a  sound 
inside.  The  door  opened  finally  and  a  frowsled 
head  peered  out. 

"Who's  that?" 

"  I  want  to  see  the  constable." 

"Well,  I'm  him." 

"I  must  see  you  a  moment!" 

"Who  be  you?" 

"I  am  Miss  Bartlett,  staying  at  Mr.  James 
Braveur's." 

A  pause. 

"  Hold  on  a  minute,"  and  the  door  shut. 

Presently  it  opened  again  and  she  entered  a 
little  room  off  the  hall  where  a  cot  bed  showed 
unmistakable  signs  of  having  been  just  left. 
There  stood  the  whiskered  constable  in  grotesque 
deshabille. 

"What  is  it,  miss?" 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"  You  have  here  a  gen  —  a  man  you  arrested  at 
the  club  to-night  —  Mr.  Stuart." 

"  Sure." 

"Well  —  it's  all  a  mistake.  I  know  him  very 
well.  He's  an  Englishman.  It's  a  mistake,  you 
see.  You  must  let  him  go." 

"  But  I  can't  do  it,  miss.  I  got  orders,  x  got 
orders  from  Mulberry  Street  to  take  him." 

"  But  I  know  it's  a  mistake,"  cried  the  excited 
girl.  "And  I'm  willing  to  —  to  bail  him  out." 

"  I  can't  accept  no  bail.  I  don't  know  what  he's 
here  for " 

"  But  I  do !  I  know,  I  know  it's  the  wrong 
man." 

"You  be  stoppin'  up  to  Braveur's,  ain't  ye?" 

"  Yes,  yes.  And  I'll  give  you  five  hundred  dol- 
lars bail." 

"  I  don't  know,"  said  the  man  doubtfully. 

"I  know,  Mr.  —  Mr.-    -" 

"  Bartol,  ma'am." 

"  I  know,  Mr.  Bartol,  all  about  it.  He'll  come 
back  to  you  to-morrow." 

"Will  you  be  responsible  for  him?" 

"Yes,  yes." 

189 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"Will  Mr.  Braveur?" 

"Yes.  I'll  see  that  he  is.  Here,  here  is  the 
money  —  two  checks  and  bills." 

The  constable  stood  undecided  for  a  moment, 
fingering  the  bills. 

"If  I  had  more  I'd  give  it  to  you,"  said  she 
earnestly.  "I'll  give  you  another  five  hundred 
to-morrow." 

"He's  got  it,"  said  the  constable,  jerking  his 
thumb  over  his  shoulder. 

"Well,  he'll  give  you  that." 

"  I  know  he  will,"  grinned  the  old  man.  "  He 
wanted  me  to  tote  into  the  Waldorf  Hotel  to-night 
with  him.  I  told  him  there  wa'n't  no  train.  He 
said  we'd  get  a  wagon.  I  told  him  it  was  going 
on  forty-six  mile.  He  said  he  didn't  gave  a  — 
that  is,  ma'am,  he  said  we'd  walk.  But  I  ain't 
dast  let  him  out." 

"Oh,  it's  dreadful!"  moaned  the  frightened 
girl.  "  If  you'll  do  it  for  me,  Mr.  Constable,  I'll 
see  that  you  don't  lose  by  it  —  I  will  indeed. 
Please,  please  believe  me ! "  And  she  almost  wrung 
her  hands  before  him. 

"Come  along  and  we'll  see  him."  And  they 
190 


A    BOX   OF    MATCHES 

went  down  the  little  passage  past  three  or  four 
doors  that  were  only  iron  grating,  and  there 
through  one  of  them  she  saw  him  lying  on  a  cot 
sound  asleep. 

A  rattle  of  the  bars  waked  him.  And  then 
Mistress  Kitty  came  near  to  losing  her  nerve.  She 
shrank  back. 

"  Well,  what  is  it  ? "  asked  a  familiar  voice. 
"  Why  the  devil  are  you  waking  me  up  ?  " 

"  Here's  a  —  a  lady  to  see  you." 

"A  lady!"  And  then  she  stepped  through  the 
doorway.  "Miss  Bartlett!"  gasped  the  man, 
"why  it's  after  midnight." 

"  Have  you  got  five  hundred  dollars  ? "  she 
asked  breathlessly. 

"I?  Why,  I  don't  know.  That  chap's  got  all 
I  had." 

"  Here  it  is,"  said  the  constable. 

"  There's  six  hundred,"  said  he  presently.  "  But 
you  mustn't  bother.  Whatever  possessed  you  to 
come  here  at  this  hour?" 

"  Come  quickly,  Mr.  Stuart !  quick !  Here,  Mr. 
Constable,  here  is  more  than  a  thousand  dollars. 
It's  all  right." 

191 


A   BOX   OF    MATCHES 

"I  dunno.     But  you  say " 

"Yes,  yes,  I  told  you." 

And  in  a  moment  they  were  in  the  street  of  the 
village. 

"  Now,"  said  she  abruptly,  "  go  away  as  quickly 
as  you  can.  Don't  delay  —  please  go!" 

But  he  stood  looking  at  her  with  an  expression 
that  the  darkness  fortunately  concealed. 

"  Where's  your   carriage  ?  " 

"  I  walked." 

"You  walked  all  that  distance?" 

"Yes.  Don't  touch  me!"  For  he  had  moved 
suddenly  towards  her.  "Will  you  go  now,  at 
once?" 

"No,  I  fancy  not,"  said  the  big  Englishman 
quietly. 

"What  more  have  I  to  do?" 

"You've  got  to  get  home." 

"  I  came  here.    I  imagine  I  can  get  back." 

"Then  we've  got  to  walk  it.     But- 

"You  must  go  away." 

"  Upon  my  word,"  he  said  suddenly  with  a  hard 
laugh,  "I  never  got  into  such  a  situation  as  this 
before  —  two  o'clock  in  the  morning — and  the 
192 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

one  girl  in  the  world  walks  a  mile  or  more  in  a  silk 
gown  and  an  opera  coat  and  no  hat  to  bail  me  — 
me — out  of  jail!"  and  he  laughed  the  hard  laugh 
again. 

"  It  may  amuse  you,  sir " 

"  Child,  it  is  so  tragic  and  yet  absurd  that  I 
can  only  laugh  at  it,"  said  he  suddenly.  "  Take 
my  arm  —  oh,  yes,  you  will  —  and  we'll  tramp  it." 

Silently  the  two  trudged  along  the  sandy  coun- 
try road  for  a  time.  Neither  had  much  to  say. 
Both  were  thinking  hard.  Presently  they  came 
into  the  Naugatuck  colony,  and  as  they  got  under 
the  first  electric  light  the  man  stopped  and  taking 
the  hand  that  lay  on  his  arm  he  turned  the  girl 
towards  him. 

"Thank  the  Lord  here's  a  light  at  last!" 

"  Now  you  will  go,  please ! " 

"  Look  at  me ! "  She  looked  down  at  the 
ground.  "  Look  straight  at  me ! " 

She  did.  "  Kitty,  do  you  believe  one  word  of 
this?" 

"I  —  you  must  go ! " 

"Do  you?     Tell  me." 

"  I  don't  know." 

193 


A    BOX   OF    MATCHES 

"Why  did  you  come  'way  down  there  to-night 
then?" 

"  I  didn't  want  —  I  didn't  want  you  to  sleep  —  to 
spend  a  night  in  prison." 

"Then  you  don't  believe  it." 

A  pause. 

"You're  not  looking  at  me." 

Up  came  the  tired  eyes. 

"  I  don't  —  I  can't  see  how  you  could  do  any- 
thing to  deserve  it." 

"Thank  God  for  that!" 

"  But  you  must  go  away  quick.  Oh,  won't  you 
go?" 

"Very  well.     I'll  be  back  in  the  morning." 

"No,  no,  you  must  get  away  —  out  of  the 
country " 

"  Then  you  do  believe  it." 

"  Oh,  I  don't  know !  I  don't  care !  But  I  wish 
you  would  go  and  get  away.  Please!  Please!" 

He  stood  gazing  down  into  her  eyes  steadily,  say- 
ing that  he  would  be  back  in  the  morning,  as  if 
he  had  no  idea  what  he  was  saying.  And  then  he 
suddenly  put  his  arms  about  her  and  kissed  her. 
Before  she  could  move  he  was  gone  down  the  road. 
194 


A    BOX   OF    MATCHES 

Mistress  Kitty  Bartlett  very  nearly  collapsed. 
Then  she  walked  slowly,  very  slowly  back  to  the 
house  in  a  most  extraordinary  frame  of  mind  —  a 
frame  of  mind  which,  of  course,  no  girl  should 
ever  be  in.  First  she  scolded  herself  for  doing 
what  she  had  done.  Then  she  was  instantly  angry 
at  any  man  daring  to  do  what  —  what  the  electric 
light  must  have  seen.  Then  she  certainly  scolded 
herself  for  suddenly  smiling  in  the  middle  of  the 
road  at  two  o'clock  in  the  morning.  Then  she 
hoped  he  would  get  away,  and  finally  she  unques- 
tionably discovered  herself  hoping  he  would  turn 
up  again.  When  she  reached  the  Braveurs'  door, 
she  let  herself  quietly  in  and  crept  upstairs  to  her 
room.  There  she  stood  gazing  in  wonder  in  the 
mirror  at  a  white-faced  young  person  who  had 
been  such  an  idiot  as  she  had  been  in  the  last  two 
hours. 


195 


XXIII 


IT  was  nearly  one  the  next  noon  when  there 
came  a  knock  at  her  door.  Before  she  could 
answer  Lucy  Braveur  entered  with  the  most 
astonished  expression  on  her  face  that  had  ever 
rested  there  before. 

"  Kitty,  wake  up.     What  is  this  story  ?  " 

"What  story?"  asked  the  girl,  sitting  up  in 
bed. 

"  What  story  !  Why,  the  constable  is  down- 
stairs and  says  that  you  bailed  out  that  impostor 
last  night  and  agreed  to  have  him  back  this  morn- 
ing." 

"  So  I  did." 

"Kitty!     Kitty!" 

"Go  downstairs,  dear.  I'll  be  down  in  an 
instant." 

When  she  reached  the  hall  there  stood  Braveur, 
the  constable,  and  Lucy  waiting  in  ominous 
silence. 

196 


A   BOX   OF    MATCHES 

"Kitty,  what  is  this  fairy  tale  of  Bartol's?" 
asked  Jim. 

"  I  don't  know,"  said  Miss  Bartlett  demurely. 

"  You  don't  know !  You  don't  know ! "  cried 
the  excited  constable.  "  D'  you  know  I've  lost  my 
place?" 

"How?"     She  was  a  little  frightened  now. 

"  I  let  a  murderer  go ! " 

"A  what?" 

"  That  man  is  charged  with  making  away  with 
an  English  feller  named  Lord  Ackton  and  I  ain't 
got  no  right  to  let  you  bail  him  out." 

"  Hold  on,  Bartol,"  said  Jim.  Poor  Braveur ! 
His  face,  so  genial  and  pleasant  always,  was  set 
now  in  hard  lines,  and  Kitty  took  more  fright  at 
that  than  at  anything  else.  "  Now,  Kitty,  answer 
me  quick.  Did  you  go  to  the  jail  last  night  and 
pay  a  thousand  dollars  to  get  that  rascal  out?" 

"  I  did." 

"Well,  I'll  be " 

"And  I  said  I  would  bring  him  here  to-day." 

"You  did?" 

"I  did." 

"  Did  you  say  that  I  would  be  responsible,  too  ?  " 
197 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

The  girl  was  near  tears  now  and  she  hesitated, 
looking  appealingly  at  her  host. 

"Yes,  I  did,  Jim!" 

Braveur  stood  still  a  moment  looking  at  the 
girl,  and  then  turned  abruptly  to  the  constable. 

"It's  all  right,  Bartol.  I'm  responsible,  and 
I'll  see  that  you  don't  lose  your  job.  I'll  see  the 
commissioner  to-morrow,  and  if  I  can't  fix  it  up, 
I'll  get  you  as  good  a  place  somewhere  else.  Now 
go  and  find  your  man,  if  you " 

"No!     No!"  cried  Kitty. 

"Keep  quiet,  dear,"  said  Lucy,  while  her  hus- 
band got  the  constable  out  of  the  house. 

"  He's  got  till  sundown  to  turn  up,  Mr. 
Braveur." 

"Never  fear,  Bartol,  he  won't  turn  up  unless 
you  catch  him." 

"Oh,  Jim,"  sobbed  Kitty.  "I'm  so  sorry,  but 
j » 

"Never  mind,  little  girl,  we'll  fix  it  up  some 
way.  Hello,  what " 

"Here,  here,  sir!"  cried  Bartol,  thrusting  his 
head  in  the  doorway.  "Here's  the  very  man 
now!" 

198 


rA   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

A  station  carriage  stopped  at  the  door  and  in 
walked  Mr.  Stuart  with  a  companion.  He  paid 
no  attention  to  anyone,  but  went  directly  to  the 
girl  who  sat  in  a  chair,  gazing  at  the  assembled 
company  with  an  expression  beyond  descrip- 
tion. 

"Good-morning,"  said  he.  "Are  you  rested 
and  all  right?  *' 

She  faltered  some  reply. 

"  Excuse  me,  Braveur,"  said  Stuart,  turning  to 
the  others.  "I  was  anxious  about  Miss  Bartlett. 
You  know  of  Mr.  Cholmondeley,  the  British  Con- 
sul, if  you  don't  actually  know  him  personally." 
And  he  presented  the  other  man  to  the  astounded 
Braveurs.  "John,  tell  my  name,  for  Heaven's 
sake!" 

"Mrs.  Braveur,  this  son  of  my  old  friend  is 
Lord  Ackton,  whose  name  is  Charles  William 
Stuart.  I  hope  he  hasn't  been  doing  anything; 
very  bad." 

"  Very  bad! "  exclaimed  Lucy  breathlessly. 
"If  he  was  my  son  —  er  —  brother  —  I  should  cer- 
tainly box  his  ears." 

Ackton  bent  his  head  to  her  hand  with  a  courtly 
199 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

grace.     But  when  he  turned  around  there  was  no 
sign  of  Miss  Bartlett. 

Without  the  slightest  pretence  of  concealment 
the  big  Englishman  hastily  left  the  hall  and  dis- 
appeared off  the  piazza,  much  to  the  amusement  of 
the  assembled  company,  including  the  dignified 
Consul  of  Great  Britain. 

Out  on  the  lawn  he  discovered  a  young  person 
in  a  white  gown  walking  about  in  aimless  fashion 
and  gazing  upon  the  earth.  He  approached  — 
she  stood  still. 

"  Shall  we  take  a  walk  ?  "  he  asked  with  an  em- 
barrassed laugh.  She  laughed,  too.  No  one 
could  look  at  this  huge  specimen  of  manhood  in 
his  present  state  of  heated  uncomfortableness 
without  laughing. 

"You  haven't  any  hat." 

"  Neither  have  you." 

"  Maybe  we'll  get  sunstruck." 

"We'll  get  struck  with  something  else,  if  we  go 
back  to  that  house." 

"Come  on,  then,"  said  she,  and  off  they  went 
along  the  bluffs  over  the  sound. 

"Kitty,"  said  he  presently. 
200 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"Yes?" 

"  Do  you  remember  a  certain  talk  we  had  at  tea 
in  Nice?" 

Looking  out  over  the  water  she  asked: 

"What  is  your  name  now?" 

"Ackton,  your  ladyship." 

"Yes,  I  remember." 

"Oh,  you  do?" 

"Very  well  indeed." 

"You  remember  what  you  said  to  me  then?" 

"  In  a  general  way  —  yes." 

"Would  you  mind  looking  at  me  instead  of  at 
the  sea?"  She  turned  with  bright  eyes  to  him. 
"  You  said  a  lot  of  nasty  things  to  me  that  day  — 

"I?" 

"  Yes.  You  said  I  wasn't  much  —  didn't  do 
anything  —  spent  a  lot  of  fool  money  and  —  that 
I  was  an  Englishman." 

"Did  I?" 

"You  said  you  remembered." 

"Then  I  suppose  I  must  have  said  it  all." 

"  What  do  you  say  now  ?  " 

"I   should  add  now  that  you  are  an  idiot,  a 
murderer,  and  a  mountebank." 
20 1 


"Are  all  these  unbecoming  the  man  who  may 
have  to  struggle  with  your  tempers  through  life  ?  " 

"They  are,  sir." 

"  Then  I'll  have  to  explain  them  away." 

"Then  I'd  better  sit  down."  And  so  they  sat 
near  the  edge  of  the  bluff. 

"First,  I'm  not  an  idiot  for  changing  my 
name." 

"Why?" 

"Because  my  dear  mother,  who  has  ideas,  had 
me  nearly  married  to  a  frump  of  a  girl,  and  I 
escaped  out  of  England  by  dropping  my  name  and 
sending  it  to  the  Tyrol." 

"Ackton,  is  that  so?" 

"  It  is,  dear." 

"The  horrid  thing!" 

"Who?" 

"Your  —  well,  never  mind." 

"  Still,  I'd  like  to  know " 

"Good  for  No.  1,"  said  she,  as  she  checked  it 
off  on  her  finger. 

"Then  I'm  not  a  murderer,  for  I  only  killed 
myself  —  and  that,  too,  temporarily." 

"Good  for  No.  2." 

202 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"Furthermore  I'm  not  a  mountebank,  because 
I'll  pay  back  the  hundred  I  owe  you." 

There  was  a  pause.     Then: 

"Does  your  mother  want  you  to  marry  the 
frump,  really?" 

"  She  really  does." 

"And  you  came  to  America  to  escape?" 

"Hardly." 

"Why,  then?" 

"I  came  to  America  to  find  a  strange  creature 
who  said  she  lived  on  some  extraordinary  street 
that  only  had  a  number,"  the  eyes  sought  the  sea 
again  — "  and  as  usual  what  she  said  wasn't  so. 
And  so  I  got  Chisholm  to  bring  me  down  here." 

"You  are  such  an  idiot,  Ackton " 

"Why,  you  just  said  I  proved  I  wasn't." 

"No,  no,  you'll  always  be  one.  Why  didn't 
you  tell  me  all  that  before?" 

"Well,  you  know,  you  might  have  guessed  why 
I  came  here." 

"  Idiot,  idiot,  dear !  I  guessed  that  the  moment 
I  saw  you." 

"You  did?" 

"Of  course." 

203 


A   BOX   OF    MATCHES 

"Kitty,  would  you  mind  kissing  me  again?" 

"Again! " 

"Certainly.     You  did  last  night." 

"I  didn't." 

"Well,  would  you  mind  beginning  now  right 
away  ?  " 

"I  don't  know.  Let's  think  about  it,"  said 
Mistress  Kitty. 

"Not  one  single  instant!"  And  the  dinner 
that  evening  at  the  Braveurs'  was  a  movable  feast 
with  a  vengeance  —  it  being  twenty  minutes  past 
ten  when  their  guests  appeared  demanding  food. 


204 


.XIV 


finally  the  announcement  of  his  engage- 
ment to  an  American  girl  reached  England  Ackton 
was  in  hot  water  in  earnest.  First  her  ladyship 
wrote  him  a  series  of  letters  telling  him  what  ruin 
he  had  brought  on  the  family  and  bidding  him 
come  home  at  once.  Ackton  stayed  calmly  in 
Naugatuck  and  New  York  and  replied  politely 
and  with  great  pains  to  mamma's  epistles,  while 
the  fair  Kitty  bristled  with  animosity  against  her 
future  mother-in-law. 

Next  came  letters  from  the  family  solicitor  set- 
ting forth  the  obstacles  to  the  match.  These  Ack- 
ton simply  tore  up  after  reading  and  characteris- 
ing in  more  forcible  than  polite  language.  That 
made  Kitty  feel  better. 

But  something  had  to  be  done,  and  so  it  was 

finally  decided  that  Kitty  should  go  to  Europe 

with  her  family  for  the  double  purpose  of  meeting 

mamma-in-law  and  securing  a  trousseau.     She  had 

205 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

scarcely  left  the  Braveurs'  when  something  hap- 
pened that  upset  the  household  to  such  an  extent 
that  she  could  not  have  been  more  thoroughly  for- 
gotten if  she  had  been  married. 

Lucy  had  arranged  a  small  house  party  which 
missed  fire.  That  disturbed  her,  since  she  always 
liked  to  get  people  together  who  would  be  con- 
genial. It  was  to  have  consisted  of  the  Catlins,  the 
Parkers,  Peter  Morgan,  and  her  cousin  Marjorie 
Apthorp.  But  everything  went  wrong.  First  the 
Catlins  telegraphed  that  they  could  not  come. 
Then  Mrs.  Parker  wrote  she  must  stay  at  home 
and  look  out  for  one  of  the  children  that  had  come 
down  with  the  mumps.  And  finally  little  Mrs. 
Braveur  met  with  an  accident  in  Jim's  absence  that 
made  everybody  forget  the  whole  party.  And  to 
cap  the  whole  dreadful  climax  a  most  unfortunate 
thing  happened.  It  seems  that  —  well 


206 


XXV 


"GOOD  gracious  me!" 

It  was  involuntary.  She  could  not  help  it.  There 
she  stood  holding  to  the  strap  and  gazing  at  t*ie 
unoffending  cash-box. 


"Can  I  help?"  asked  the  only  other  occupant 
of  the  stage. 

She  turned  and  came  back  to  ordinary  things. 

"Oh,  no,  thank  you.  I  -  "  Then  she  sat 
down  and  tried  to  compose  herself. 

The  stage  crawled  slowly  across  Forty-second 
Street  —  as  slowly  as  it  usually  does  on  that  part 
of  Fifth  Avenue.  The  other  occupant  knew  when 
enough  had  been  said. 

Then  the  girl  suddenly  stood  up  again  and, 
keeping  her  balance  as  best  she  could,  peered 
through  the  glass  front  of  the  cash  box.  There 
was  no  mistaking  the  real  dismay  and  perplexity 
on  her  face. 

207 


A   BOX   OE   MATCHES 

Then  she  sat  down  in  despair.     Then  she  looked 
up.    Then  their  eyes  met. 
"  If  I  can  help  you " 

<(  T J» 

"You  can  trust  me  —  probably,"  and  he  smiled 
across  at  her. 

She  hesitated.     He  waited. 

"You  —  you     won't  —  nobody     would     believe 


me 


"  I'll  try,"  and  he  still  smiled  reassuringly.  It 
was  not  difficult  to  be  reassuring  to  such  a  big  hat 
and  such  a  trim  little  gown  and  such  —  well,  such 
an  admirable  piece  of  work  on  the  part  of  the 
Creator  as  to  eyes  and  hair  and  troubled  features. 

"Why,  I've  just  put  a  five-dollar  gold  piece  in 
the  box  instead  of  a  nickel  —  it's  true,  really!" 

He  laughed  now. 

"That  needn't  worry  you.  If  you'll  ride  down 
to  Washington  Square 

"  But  —  you  see  —  I  can't ! "  and  the  becoming 
perplexity  returned.  "I've  got  to  hurry  to  the 
Thirty-fourth  Street  ferry  and  catch  a  train  going 
out  on  Long  Island." 

"  That  can  be  easily  fixed,"  said  he. 
208 


A   BOX   Of   MATCHES 

She  looked  up  at  him  with  hope  written  all  over 
her  face. 

"How?" 

"  Just  give  the  driver  your  address  and  he  will 
send  it " 

Embarrassment     now     fought     with     the     old 
perplexity. 

"But  I  can't!    I " 

"  Certainly  you  can.    These  drivers  are  reliable. 
Wait,  I'll " 

"Oh,  please  don't!  You  don't  understand " 

and  now  a  dozen  emotions  were  flying  across  the 
fair  face. 

"But " 

"I  —  I  haven't  any  more  money!"  gasped  the 
girl. 

A  pause. 

"  You  don't  believe  it  —  I  know  you  don't ! " 

"Of     course      I     do.      Wait!     I'm     thinking. 
Couldn't  you-    -" 

"  I  must  go  on  that  train ! "     There  was  a  hint 
of  tears.     "  I  must!  " 

They  were  passing  the  Union  League  Club.    He 
moved  over  to  her  side  of  the  stage. 
209 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"Tell  me  all  about  it  quick,  and  I'll  help. 
Quick!" 

Then  she  began,  first  haltingly,  afterwards  with 
a  rush  of  anxious  words. 

"I  have  just  had  a  telegram  that  my  friend  i& 
suddenly  ill." 

"Yes?" 

"And  I  stopped  only  an  instant  at  Forty- 
fourth  Street.  Then  I  only  had  a  five-dollar  gold 
piece  and  a  five-cent  piece " 

"Goon." 

"And  —  and  —  here's  the  five-cent  piece!"  Her 
face  was  so  serious  and  yet  so  comical  that  he 
laughed  again. 

"  But  wait,"  cried  the  girl.  "  I  haven't  got  a 

ticket  —  and  now "  and  she  held  up  the  five 

cents. 

"  Let  me  give  you  five  dollars  and  I  will  go  down 
to  Washington  Square  and  get  out  the  gold  piece." 

"Oh,  no.     I  couldn't  think  of  that.     I-    -" 

"Of  course  you  can.  Here,  take  it!"  and  he 
held  out  a  bill  to  her. 

"I  wouldn't  do  that  for  worlds." 

"Why  not?" 

2IO 


A   BOX   OF    MATCHES 

"Why,  suppose  you  didn't  find * 


"But  you  say  it's  there.  I  think  your  word  is 
good." 

"Oh,  no " 

"What?"  laughing. 

"  I  mean  —  something  might  happen."  Then 
her  face  lighted  up  with  hope.  "  If  you  would  be 
willing  to  let  me  have  a  dollar,  I  will  return  it  to 
you " 

"  And  shall  I  keep  the  five  dollars  ?  " 

"You  could  send  it  to  me  —  no,  no,  that's  too 
much  bother.  I  can  write  to  the  stage  com- 
pany." 

"How  silly!  Listen,  here  is  Thirty-fourth 
Street  coming.  Take  it ! " 

"But,  there's  still  five  cents " 

"  Well,  good  Heavens !  Give  me  your  five  cents, 
then." 

"You're  very  kind " 

"Here  we  are!"  and  he  pulled  the  strap  and 
stopped  the  stage. 

As  he  got  out  to  help  her,  he  said: 

"May    I    hope    some    day    to    see    you    and 

hear " 

211 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

Up  came  the  face  again  —  a  little  severe,  a  little 
sorry,  yet  nice  and  friendly,  too. 

"Please  don't  spoil  it " 

"You  are  right.     Good-bye!" 

"  And  you  don't  know  how  much  indebted  to  you 
I  am." 

"  Not  a  bit  of  it ! "  And  he  got  back  into  the 
stage  and  watched  her  board  a  car. 

At  the  end  of  the  line  he  went  into  the  office,  told 
his  story,  and  waited  for  the  agent  to  open  the  box. 

The  box  contained  nothing  but  five-cent  pieces. 

The  agent  and  the  benefactor  looked  at  one 
another  with  expressions  that  can  be  imagined  bet- 
ter than  they  can  be  described. 

"  Some  mistake,  I  guess,"  said  the  former,  care- 
fully gathering  up  the  nickels. 

"Well,  I'll  be  doggoned!"  said  the  latter. 
"That  is  the  neatest  thing  that  was  ever  played 
on  me." 

"It  wasn't  your  money,  then,"  asked  the  agent 
with  raised  eyebrows. 

"Mine!    No — worse  luck." 

"What  sort  of  a  lookin'  feller  was  he?" 

"  Fellow !    It  was  a  woman ! " 
212 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

The  agent  allowed  himself  the  luxury  of  a  smile- 

"  To  think  of  it !  Me  —  done  by  a  pretty  thief ! 
And  yet  I'll  swear  she  didn't  look  like  one  —  but  I 
apologise  for  the  trouble  I've  given  you."  And 
he  walked  out.  "  Me !  Me  —  done  by  a  pretty  girl ! 
I'm  an  ass  with  ears  a  mile  long.  It  doesn't  seem 
possible  —  here  in  my  town  —  after  all  these  years ! 
And  she  was  offended  when  I  suggested  that  some- 
time we  might  meet.  I  don't  wonder!  —  And  I 
didn't  know  how  much  I  was  indebted  to  her!  Fool 
—  ass  —  idiot ! " 

At  that  moment  over  in  Long  Island  City  a 
young  person  opened  her  purse  for  the  purpose  of 
buying  a  ticket.  Something  dropped  out.  She 
picked  it  up  and  uttered  a  cry  of  amazement. 

There  she  stood,  while  the  colour  came  and  went 
on  her  face,  as  she  gazed  at  a  bright  five-dollar 
gold  piece  lying  peacefully  in  her  hand. 


213 


XXVI 


IT  was  nearly  dinner-time  out  at  Naugatuck 
when  a  hired  trap  stopped  at  the  Braveurs'  door. 
Out  jumped  a  young  woman,  who  was  met  by  a 
maid. 

"What  is  it,  Annette?     Is  she  —  is  she  dead?" 

"Ah,  no,  Mees.  Madame  was  thrown  out  — 
the  ponies,  they  run  away  —  and  Monsieur,  who 
is  away  —  Dieu,  I  am  so  frightened!  I  telegraph 
you  -  " 

"  Yes,  yes,  Annette.    But  is  she  badly  hurt  ?  " 

"The  doctor  is  there  -  "  but  the  girl  was 
halfway  up  the  stairs. 

She  found  him  sitting  by  Mrs.  Braveur's  bed, 
and  he  held  up  a  finger  as  she  entered,  pointing 
out  into  the  hall. 

"Oh,  Doctor  Blanchard,  she  isn't  dead?" 
whispered  the  girl  as  he  followed  her  out. 

"Dead!     What  would  I  be  doing  here  if  she 
were   dead  ?  "     The   girl   gave   a   gasp   of  relief. 
214 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"No,  she's  all  right,  I  think — pretty  well 
shaken  up,  but  nothing  broken.  Where's  Jimmy 
Braveur?" 

"  He's  in  Washington.     But,  Doctor " 

"Well,  he'd  better  come  home.  Be  careful, 
though,  what  you  telegraph  him.  Don't  scare 
him."  And  he  went  back  into  the  sickroom. 

There  was  not  a  thought  of  anything  but  Lucy^ 
Braveur  for  a  week.  Then  the  atmosphere  cleared. 
Her  husband  had  come  home,  and  Lucy  was  lying 
in  bed  with  nothing  worse  than  a  few  bruises  and 
a  sprained  shoulder. 

"  Marjorie,  dear,  how  Annette  must  have  fright- 
ened you  that  day ! " 

"  Frightened !  I  nearly  went  crazy.  I  supposed 
of  course  you  were  dead and " 

"And  what?" 

"And  I  did  a  most  awful  thing!"  Then  she 
told  her  story. 

"Goodness,  child!  You  don't  even  know  the 
man's  name." 

"  There  isn't  the  slightest  clew.     I " 

"Was  he  good-looking?" 

"Lucy!  what  a  question!  I  was  so  frightened 
215 


A  BOX  OF   MATCHES 

and  hurried  that  I  don't  believe  I'd  know  him 
again,  if  I  saw  him  —  and  I  hope  I  never 
will " 

"What!" 

"  I  mean  I  should  be  too  ashamed.  Think  of  it ! 
Think  of  what  he  must  have  said  about  me  —  what 
he  must  have  thought  —  when  he  didn't  find  the 
money.  I'm  sick  with  worry  over  it  all  this  week." 

"We'll  find  him  some  way,"  said  the  invalid. 

"I  wish  I'd  never  gone  to  town  that  da}T,  any- 
way. I'd  have  escaped  that  telegram  and  this 
awful  mistake,  and  —  and  the  heat." 

"Let's  see,"  said  Mrs.  Braveur,  meditating. 
"  He  was  to  go  and  get  the  money  at  the  office  in 
Washington  Square  ?  " 

"Yes." 

"Well,  that's  the  starting-point." 

"But  suppose  they  don't  know  anything  about 
him?" 

"  Well,  that's  the  only  thing  I  can  think  of.  Jim 
can  go  and  find  out " 

"Not  for  worlds!"  cried  Marjorie. 

"Why  not?" 

"  Jim  must  never  hear  a  word  of  this  !  Promise 
216 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

me  never  to  tell  him.     I  should  die!     Promise  me, 
quick!" 

"Of  course,  if  you  feel  so.  But  he  could  help 
us." 

"  No,  I'm  going  to  do  this  myself." 

And  in  a  day  or  two  she  went  into  New  York 
and  presented  herself  at  the  office  of  the  stage 
company. 

The  agent  smiled  at  the  story. 

"I  remember,  miss.  The  gent  was  in,  and  — 
and,  well,  you  see,  we  didn't  find  nothin'." 

"  I  know,  I  know,"  said  she.  "  Did  he  leave  any 
word  or  say  anything?" 

"Well,  you  see,  miss,  as  there  wa'n't  uothin* 
there  he  kind  o'  felt  —  you  see " 

"Yes,  yes." 

"Beggin'  your  pardon,  miss,  seems  like  he  was 
a  little  mad,  and  he  says  —  he " 

"  Yes,  what  did  he  say  ?  " 

"He  seemed  to  think  that  you  —  that  is,  the 
woman  —  I  mean  what  he  thought  you  was  —  you 
see  —  did  him  a  pretty  neat  game " 

"Oh,"  cried  Marjorie  again.     "Can't  you  help 
me  to  find  him.    I'll  pay  well  if  you  will." 
217 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

**  I'd  do  it  right  away  without  no  pay,  if  I  knew 
where  to  begin.  But,  you  see,  I  never  laid  eyes  on 
him  before  nor  since." 

And  so  there  was  nothing  to  be  done  but  to  go 
back  to  Naugatuck  and  ask  for  another  clew  from 
the  detective  in  the  big  easy-chair  upstairs. 

They  discussed  it  all  the  afternoon  and  found 
no  suggestion. 

In  the  morning  Marjorie,  as  she  had  for  nearly 
a  fortnight  past,  took  the  supervision  of  the  house- 
hold, reported  the  needs  of  the  cook,  and  received 
orders  that  were  repeated  in  the  kitchen.  Then 
she  put  on  a  big  white  apron  and  took  up  the  one 
morning  occupation  that  Mrs.  Braveur  never 
missed  —  the  dusting  of  the  library  and  the  draw- 
ing-room. 

She  had  gotten  as  far  as  the  library  when  some- 
one drove  up  to  the  door.  Nobody  answered  the 
bell  and  Marjorie  turned  into  the  hall  and  opened 
it  herself.  Then  she  stood  frozen  to  the  doorknob. 
There  before  her  stood  the  man  of  the  Fifth 
Avenue  stage. 


218 


xxvn 


HE  started  to  ask  in  the  usual  manner  for  Mrs. 
Braveur.  His  lips  opened  and  then  stayed  open 
while  their  owner  gazed  at  the  apparition.  She 
was  on  the  point  of  crying  out  for  joy,  when  she 
saw  him  glance  at  her  apron  and  duster  and  saw, 
too,  a  cold,  cynical  expression  appear  on  his  face 
as  he  said: 

"  So,  my  good  girl,  this  is  a  pretty  small  world 
after  all." 

Marjorie  turned  suddenly  pale  and  backed  away 
from  him  as  he  entered  with  his  eyes  fixed  on  her. 

"  Did  you  find  your  friend  very  ill  ?  " 

The  blood  rushed  to  the  high-spirited  girl's 
forehead. 

"  It  was  a  nice  way  to  eke  out  your  wages, 
wasn't  it?  And  I  was  a  country-looking  chap  to 
work  on,  wasn't  I  ?  "  She  started  to  answer,  but 
anger  choked  her  and  he  did  not  give  her  an  oppor- 
tunity to  speak.  "  Go  and  tell  Mrs.  Braveur  that 
219 


Mr.  Morton  is  here,  and  then  come  back  and  give 
me  a  kiss  for  my  four  dollars  and  ninety-five 
cents." 

"  Oh ! "  cried  the  girl  in  a  low,  choked  voice. 
"Aren't  you  ashamed  of  yourself " 

"  Aren't  you?  " 

"  I ! " 

"  Come,  run  along  and  do  what  I  say.  I'm 
ashamed  of  you  —  so  pretty  and  so  sly ! " 

Without  a  word,  but  with  her  head  up,  she  strode 
up  the  stairs,  found  Annette,  told  her  what  to  do, 
and  went  herself  to  her  own  room.  The  library 
must  go  undusted  for  that  day. 

At  luncheon  she  sent  word  to  Mrs.  Braveur  that 
she  had  a  headache  and  would  not  come  down.  At 
dinner  the  headache  was  no  better,  but  while  the 
meal  was  in  course  she  went  into  Morton's  room 
and  placed  an  envelope  with  four  dollars  and 
ninety-five  cents  in  it  on  the  bureau.  Then  she 
went  back  to  her  room  and  tried  to  gloat  over  the 
wretched  man,  though  if  truth  be  told,  she  was  get- 
ting tired  of  living  in  one  room  on  a  hot  summer 
day. 

Mrs.  Braveur  came  in  and  found  her  reading. 
220 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"It's  better,"  answered  Marjorie  to  her  enquiry. 

"But  why  don't  you  go  to  bed?  And  you 
oughtn't  to  read." 

"  I  haven't  any  headache,  Lucy." 

"What  is  it,  dear?"  asked  the  other  in  a  differ- 
ent tone. 

"  That  —  that  man  downstairs  is  the  man  in  the 
stage." 

"  What,  Peter  Morton  ?    You  don't  mean  to  say 

—  why  didn't  you  explain  to  him  ?  " 

"  Because    I    don't    choose    to,    Lucy ! "    with 

extreme  hauteur. 

"  False  pride,  dear.     He's  as  nice  as  he  can  be." 

"  He  may  be  as  nice  as  lie  can  be,  but " 

"What  under  the  sun  has  happened?" 

"  He  thinks  I  did  it  deliberately " 

"That  is  foolish.     When  did  you  see  him?" 

"When  he  arrived." 

"What  did  he  say?" 

"He  said  —  I  won't  tell  you.     Yes,  I  will.     He 

took  me  for  a  maid." 
"Marjorie!" 
"Yes,  he  did.     I  was  dusting  the  drawing-room 

—  oh,  you  can  laugh  all  you  like ! " 

221 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

Mrs.  Braveur  looked  at  her  and  smiled  again. 

"From  present  signs  I  begin  to  pity  him."  And 
she  went  out  smiling  to  herself. 

And  so  morning  came,  and  as  the  fair  Marjorie, 
being  distinctly  a  lively  person  and  fond  of  plenty 
of  out-of-doors,  had  gone  to  bed  at  eight  the  night 
before,  she  woke  at  six,  dressed,  and  went  out  into 
the  flower  garden  in  search  of  fresh  air  before 
another  day  of  prison. 

The  morning  was  all  right.  The  flowers  only 
waited  to  be  picked.  The  girl  was  very  nearly 
perfect.  It  was  the  fact  that  Morton  woke  early, 
too,  that  caused  all  the  trouble.  Of  course  he  made 
for  the  little  formal  garden  also,  and  then 

"You  know  if  you  weren't  so  pretty " 

"Sir!" 

"I  believe  I'd  have  you  arrested,  you  did  me  so 
completely." 

Then  the  spirit  in  her  ladyship's  sprightly 
makeup  took  a  hand  in  the  game.  She  looked  down 
at  the  flowers  she  had  picked  and  said  demurely : 

"I've  paid  it  back,  sir." 

"That  saves  me  from  ruin,  not  from 
mortification." 

222 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"  I'm  very  sorry,  sir.     I  hope  you  won't  tell." 
"  I'm   considering,"   and  he   looked   steadily    at 
her. 

The  spirit  became  more  courageous.     Marjorie 
looked  up. 

"  I'll  never  do  it  again,  sir,"  she  pleaded. 
"  What  will  you  do  for  me  if  I  promise  not  to  ?  " 
"  Anything !     Anything ! " 

"  What !       For    four     dollars     and    ninety-five 
cents?" 

"It  isn't  that,  sir,  it's  the  disgrace." 
"Why  did  you  do  it  —  er  —  Mary?" 
"Maggie,  sir,"  said  she,  looking  down. 
"  Why  did  you  do  it,  Maggie  ?  " 

"I  —  I'd  spent  all  my  money " 

"You're  a  clever  one!"  and  still  he  looked  at 
her. 

"  I  had  to  get  here  on  that  train,  sir." 
Morton   came   a   little   nearer   and  noticed  the 
bright  morning  sunlight  in  the  brown  hair. 
"  Did  you  really  need  the  money  ?  " 
"  I  did,  really — sir,"  and  she  looked  at  him  sud- 
denly with  a  most  sincere  and  earnest  gaze. 
"Would  you  like  it  now?" 
223 


A    BOX   OF   MATCHES 

Oh,    no!"     cried    the    girl,    stepping    back. 


"I 


"Wait,  Maggie  —  I  don't  know  —  you  fooled 
me  so  well  once  —  are  you  fooling  me  now?  " 

"Do  I  look  like  it?" 

"That's  the  devil  of  it!  You  look  perfectly 
beau  —  er  —  that  is  —  perfectly  honest.  But " 

"I  only  want  you  to  pardon  me,  sir,"  and  this 
time  the  long  lashes  had  to  come  down  or  the  spirit 
would  have  leaped  out  of  her  eyes  and  discovered 
everything. 

"  I'll  pardon  you  on  one  —  no,  two  conditions." 

"  Thank  you,  sir." 

"Wait  till  you  see  if  you'll  grant  the 
conditions." 

"  It  isn't  for  such  as  me,  sir,  to  grant  to  you." 

"Yes  it  is.  First,"  and  he  held  up  one  ringer, 
"first  that  you'll  take  the  four  dollars  and  ninety- 
five  cents." 

"  Sir ! "  The  expression  in  her  eyes  ought  to 
have  warned  him. 

"As  a  present ! " 

"I  don't  need  your  money!" 

"  But  you  said  you  did." 
224 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"I  said  — I  said " 

"  Maggie,  look  at  me !  Look  at  me  this  minute ! " 

"  I  said  I  needed  money." 

"But  not  mine?" 

"  Certainly  not  —  sir." 

"Whose,  then?" 

"That's  none  — that's " 

"None  of  my  business?" 

"  Oh,  no,  I  wouldn't  dare  to  say  such  a  thing." 

"  You  might  think  it,  though?  " 

"  Can  I  help  my  thoughts,  sir  ?  " 

"I  believe,  Maggie,   that  you're  a  very  deep 
one " 

"Oh,  no,  sir " 

"Wait  —  and  second,"  holding  up  two  fingers, 
"  second,  that  you  will  give  me  a " 

"  Oh,  aren't  you  ashamed  of  yourself,"  cried  the 
girl,  looking  at  him  with  blazing  eyes. 

"Well,  I " 

"Do  you  call  yourself  a  gentleman  and  insult 
poor  helpless  girls  like  this " 

"Helpless  girls!     God  save  the  mark,   there's 
nothing  helpless  about  what  I  know  of  you." 

The  girl's  throat  swelled  with  anger. 
225 


"  Look  here,  Maggie,  I  can't  fathom  you  —  wait, 
I'm  talking  now  —  you  worked  a  con  game  on 
me " 

"I  did  nothing  of  the  kind!     I-    -" 

"  And  I  forgave  you.  And  now  I'll  be  switched 
if  I'm  not  prepared  to  apologise  for  what  I  just 
said." 

A  pause. 

"  Come,  come,  I'll  apologise.  Do  you  accept 
it  ?  "  Silence  and  examination  of  the  flowers  in  her 
hand.  "  Maggie,  look  straight  at  me  and  tell  me 
you'll  accept  the  apology." 

"I  —  I  must  go  in,  sir." 

"Not  yet." 

"But  I  must " 

"Why?" 

"Why,  to  — to  get  the  breakfast." 

"Not  till  you've  looked  at  me "  But  she 

ran  by  him  and  walked  sedately  into  the  house. 

He  followed  and  entered  the  hall  just  as  he  heard 
Braveur's  cheery  voice  cry: 

"Hello,  Marjorie.  All  right  again?"  And 
then  he  stood  still  gazing  at  the  girl. 

Her  face  was  the  colour  of  the  setting  sun. 
226 


"What's  up?"  cried  Braveur.  "Oh,  good  morn- 
ing, Peter.  Here,  have  you  met  Miss  Apthorp? 
—  er  —  I  guess  you  have." 

Morton  gathered  himself  together,  and  then  said 
slowly : 

"I've  just  had  the  pleasure  of  discovering  Miss 
Apthorp  for  myself." 


227 


XXVIII 


"AREN'T  you  a  little  silly,  dear?"  asked  Mrs. 
Braveur  that  evening. 

"Silly!     Why  that  man  isn't  fit  to  -  " 

"Marjorie,  haven't  you  learned  yet  that  men 
aren't  saints  ?  " 

"There's  no  excuse  for  such  -  " 

"You  ought  to  be  married." 

"If  marriage  makes  a  girl  accustomed  to  such 
behaviour,  I  shall  never  marry." 

Lucy  laughed. 

"You'll  be  married  before  you  know  it.  Come, 
come,  hurry  now  and  dress.  We  are  going  to 
drive  over  to  the  Wintons'  to  dinner." 

"Is  he  going?" 

"Of  course." 

"  Then  I  think  I'll  have  another  headache." 

"Marjorie,  behave  yourself.  Come,  hurry 
along." 

And  so  the  young  lady  arrayed  herself  in  her 
228 


A   BOX   OF    MATCHES 

best  and  got  up  on  the  front  seat  with  Braveur 
without  so  much  as  a  glance  at  Morton.  But  she 
could  not  refuse  to  sit  beside  him  at  dinner.  For 
a  time  she  talked  to  the  man  on  the  other  side,  and 
then  a  break  coming  in  the  conversation,  she  found 
herself  turning  towards  him. 

"  Tell  me  about  these  people,"  said  he  in  a  mat- 
ter-of-fact tone.  "Who's  the  girl  in  pink  over 
there?" 

"Miss  Turner." 

"And  the  man  next  to  her?" 

"  Mr.  Langdon." 

"Do  you  stay  here  for  the  season?" 

"No." 

Morton  turned  squarely  and  looked  at  her. 
Then  his  brows  came  together  and  the  lines  about 
his  mouth  tightened. 

"Have  you  accepted  my  apology,  Miss 
Apthorp?" 


"Because    if    you  haven't,    it  doesn't    really 

matter." 

She  looked  straight  at  him  in  amazement.    This 
was  a  new  attitude  to  her. 


"It  seems  that  you  do  not  confine  your  rather 
extraordinary  behaviour  to  servants." 

He  hesitated  an  instant.     The  matter  was  get- 
ting serious  for  both  of  them. 

"My  manner  doesn't  change.     It  is  the  person 
to  whom  it  is  addressed  who  is  kaleidoscopic." 

"And  yet  kaleidoscopes  and  variety  are  often 
considered  beautiful." 

"  So  are  some  persons." 

"Are  you  going  to  pay  compliments  now?" 

"I  shouldn't  dare  to  pay  you  anything  more." 

"You  are  unfair,  Mr.  Morton." 

"If     I     could     discover     what     you     consider 
fair " 

"I  only  wanted  to  be  treated  as  a  respectable 
woman " 

"What  do  you  mean?" 

"Within  a  few  days  you  have  treated  me  as  a 
thief  and  as  a  —  a " 

"And    now,"    he    interrupted    suddenly,    "you 
would  like  to  be  treated  as  an  intelligent  person  ?  " 

"That  is  all  I  ask." 

"Listen,  then.     I  offered  a  lady  a  little  assist- 
ance in  New  York  the  other  day " 

230 


"I  thought  you  considered  her  a " 

"Would  I  have  paid  money  willingly  to  a  thief, 
Miss  Apthorp?" 

She  looked  down  at  her  plate. 

"  The  simple  facts  in  the  case  ultimately  gave  me 

to  understand  that  I  had  been  deceived " 

"  That  sounds  like  a  legal  phrase  —  you  ought 

to  have  known  that  I " 

"  But  I  only  knew  that  you  looked  like  a  lady.'* 

"  I  am  sorry  that  I  was  wanting  in " 

"  It  was  the  gold  piece  that  was  wanting." 
Another  pause.  "  I  did  nothing.  Why  should 
I?  How  could  I?  But  suddenly  I  came  upon 
the  person  in  servant's  costume,  and  no  matter 

how  attractive,  how  beautiful " 

"Do  you  think  the  adjectives  necessary?" 
"  No,  you  are  right,  the  fact  is  self-evident." 
"Really,  Mr.  Morton,  you  are  getting  interest- 
ing, you  are  so  rude." 

"  Then  I  discovered,"  he  went  on  calmly,  "  a 
person  in  a  maid's  costume,  and  I  took  her  at  her 
costume,  so  to  speak." 

"Of  course  any  maid  would  steal?" 
"  That  isn't  the  point." 
231 


A   BOX   OF    MATCHES 

"That  was  what  you  thought,  however?" 

"It  — it  — that  is " 

"  Costume  makes  the  person  ?  " 

"To  an  idiot  like  myself,  yes." 

"  I  don't  know  you  well  enough  to  pass  on  your 
characterisation  of  yourself,  but " 

"  So  far  as  you've  been  able  to  see " 

"I  wasn't  going  to  say  so." 

"You  thought  it?" 

"Hardly  'idiot'?" 

"Say  a  stupid  man  who  was  just  imbecile 
enough  to  be  a  good  mark  for  a  fair  lady  to  poke 
fun  at  in  her  many  disguises." 

"  I  didn't  make  fun  of  you." 

"You  gave  a  wonderful  imitation  of  it." 

"Not  at  all,  I  only " 

"Well?" 

"I  only  got  angry." 

"Because  I  didn't  know  that  you  could  never 
deceive  a  stranger,  and  that  you  could  never  be  a 
servant  ?  " 

"Wouldn't  any  girl  have  been  angry?" 

"  Couldn't  any  girl  have  settled  the  whole  thing 
in  two  words?" 

232 


A   BOX   OF    MATCHES 
"But  —  er  —  I — you  made  me  so  angry 


"  That  you  decided  to  take  it  out  of  me  ?  Come, 
tell  the  truth." 

"You  hurt  me  very  much." 

"I  am  sorry,  really,"  and  his  manner  changed 
at  once. 

"I  wonder  if  you  are?" 

"  Are  you  a  little  sorry,  too  ?  " 

"Not  a  bit!" 

"  Then  I'm  not  either." 

"What!" 

"  I'm  going  to  be  frank  some  more.  I'm  get- 
ting mad "  A  small  nose  was  slightly  elevated 

on  his  left.  "I  tried  my  best  to  help  a  girl  in 
trouble " 

"And  she  thanked  you  for  it  and  does  still " 

I 

"Wait  a  moment.  I  thought,  as  anyone  would 
have  thought,  that  I'd  been  deceived " 

"You  know  now  that  you  weren't." 

"  It  looked  like  it  then.  I  found  the  person  who 
I  thought  had  deceived  me,  and  I  thought  again 
she  was  a  clever  and  dishonest  servant." 

"But " 

"  Don't  interrupt,  please.  I  know  I  should  have 
233 


A  BOX  OF   MATCHES 

known  you  both  in  the  stage  and  with  the  duster, 
but  I  didn't  —  and  there's  the  whole  story.  Now, 
you  can  make  fun  of  me  all  you  like.  I'm  not 
going  to  defend  myself  any  more."  And  he 
calmly  turned  back  to  the  girl  on  his  right. 


234 


XXIX 


FOR  a  week  the  truce  continued.  The  two  were 
constantly  together.  She  was  polite,  but  not 
friendly.  He  was  looking  for  any  sign  of  weak- 
ening on  her  part,  but  was  bound  to  keep  to  his 
view  and  make  no  advances  towards  a  settlement. 

Then  Mrs.  Braveur,  who  was  as  well  as  ever 
again,  made  up  her  mind  that  something  was 
needed  and  she  puzzled  her  brains  in  search  of 
some  means.  Finally  one  day  Miss  Apthorp  ex- 
pressed a  desire  to  ride.  It  was  at  the  luncheon 
table,  and  without  giving  anyone  a  chance  the 
hostess  agreed  that  she  must  get  on  a  horse,  and 
asked  Morton  if  he  would  act  as  her  escort. 
Nobody  could  take  any  exception  to  this  and  the 
girl  herself  could  hardly  decline. 

Thus  it  came  about  that  these  two  rode  away 
together  in  the  afternoon. 

Nothing  was  said  for  a  while,  until  Morton 
asked  : 

235 


A   BOX   OF    MATCHES 

"Miss  Apthorp,  don't  you  think  you've  pun- 
ished me  about  enough  ?  " 

"I?  I  wouldn't  presume  to  punish  you,  as  you 
say." 

"  But  you  do.  Here  I  am  riding  with  you  and 
you  might  as  well  be  clothed  in  mediaeval  armour 
with  your  visor  down  for  all  I  see  of  your  real 
self." 

"  I  couldn't  be  more  natural." 

They  were  walking  the  horses  through  a  wood 
road  up  in  the  hills. 

"  Then  I  am  going  to  ask  you  once  more  if  you 
will  be  willing  to  forget  my  mistakes.  I  am  really 
sorry,  no  matter  what  I  said  to  the  contrary." 

"Why,  I've-    -" 

"No,  you  haven't.  You're  just  as  unforgiving 
as  ever.  You 

There  was  a  sudden  movement  by  the  side  of  the 
path  and  the  girl's  horse  jumped  across  into  the 
bushes  on  the  other  side.  She  kept  her  seat  only 
by  a  narrow  margin,  and  then  had  hard  work  to 
bring  him  back  into  the  roadway.  Morton  was 
by  her  side  in  an  instant. 

"That  was  vicious  jump,"  said  he  anxiously. 
236 


A  BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"I  don't  like  his  looks  anyway.  He's  in  a  bad 
temper." 

The  girl  was  startled  unquestionably,  but  she 
was  not  going  to  show  it. 

"I  can  control  him,  thank  you,  as  I  can  others 
who  are  in  a  bad  temper." 

"  I  don't  care  an  atom  for  your  kindly  refer- 
ences. That  beast  has  got  something  the  matter 
with  him.  Won't  you — suppose  we  dismount  and 
walk  a  little." 

"Not  by  any  means." 

"He  might  easily  get  unmanageable,  Miss 
Apthorp.  He  nearly  threw  you  then." 

"  Do  you  think  I'm  so  poor  a  horsewoman  as 
that?" 

"You  are  a  beautiful  horsewoman,  but  that 
animal  is  in  a  bad  frame  of  mind." 

They  came  out  on  the  highway  and  started  on 
a  canter.  Then  —  neither  of  them  could  tell  how 
it  happened  —  suddenly  they  both  realised  that 
the  horse  was  beyond  her  control.  Marjorie 
Apthorp  was  not  a  nervous  woman,  and  she  knew 
a  little  about  horses  —  enough  to  tell  her  that  she 
could  make  no  impression  on  this  one  now.  Mor- 
237 


£   BOX  OF   MATCHES 

ton,  fearing  another  rebuff,  let  his  horse  out  into 
a  full  run  and  gradually  pulled  up  on  her. 

"Is  it  all  right?"  he  called. 

There  was  no  answer.  She  leaned  far  back 
and  pulled  with  all  her  strength  —  without  effect. 
Then  Peter  took  the  risk.  He  jabbed  the  spurs 
into  his  horse,  gradually  came  alongside  the  other, 
and  leaning  forward  caught  the  reins,  and  added 
all  his  strength  to  hers  as  they  rushed  along  the 
country  road. 

"  It's  no  use,"  cried  Morton ;  "  he's  crazy  —  are 
you  afraid?" 

"  No,"  gasped  the  girl. 

"Then  do  just  what  I  say."  She  nodded. 
"  Get  your  knees  clear  of  the  pommel  and  let  go 
when  I  yell." 

Then  he  grasped  her  round  the  waist  and  cried, 
"*Now!"  She  let  herself  be  dragged  out  of  the 
saddle.  "Let  go!  Let  go!"  cried  Morton,  for 
she  still  clutched  the  reins. 

And  then  in  a  moment  he  had  pulled  up  and  let 
her  sink  to  the  ground  in  a  rather  limp  condition. 

"Is  it  all  right?"  he  asked  presently,  as  she  sat 
by  the  roadside. 

238 


A   BOX  OF   MATCHES 

"Yes  —  I  think  so  —  how  dreadful!" 

"Never  mind,  if  you're  not  hurt!" 

"Why  should  he  run?  Why  should  he?"  she 
asked  in  a  bewildered  tone. 

"  Heaven  knows !  but  he  did." 

"What  will  Jim  and  Lucy  say?  It's  their 
horse  and  he's  lost." 

"Not  a  bit  of  it.  I'll  go  and  get  him  pres- 
ently. Somebody  '11  stop  him." 

"  If  only  they  need  never  know." 

Morton  hesitated  a  moment. 

"  Would  you  wait  here  a  few  minutes  while  I —  " 

"  Yes,  do,  please.  We  could  lead  him  home,  and 
they  won't  know.  Lucy  would  be  frightened  to 
death." 

It  was  only  a  few  moments  when  he  rode  back 
mounted  on  the  horse  and  with  her  saddle  on  his. 
She  was  not  by  the  roadside  and  he  had  nearly 
passed  the  spot  when  he  discovered  her  stretched 
upon  the  grass  near  by. 

In  a  moment  he  had  dismounted  and  was  lifting 
her. 

"It's  nothing,  nothing!"  she  said  hastily,  wip- 
ing her  eyes. 

239 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"  Nothing !     Why  you're  all  unstrung." 
"No  I'm  not.     Come,  we  will  walk  home 


Then  she  saw  the  changed  saddles.  "You 
mustn't  ride  him!" 

"I've  just  ridden  him  a  quarter  cf  a  mile,  and 
it's  some  distance  to  the  house.  Are  you  up  to 
mounting  the  other?"  She  turned  to  him  a 
moment  and  hesitated.  "It  '11  take  some  nerve,  I 
know,  but " 

"I'm  ready,"  said  the  girl,  and  without  a  word 
he  lifted  her  in  the  saddle  and  they  walked  the 
horses  three  miles  to  the  Braveurs'. 

"Please  go  right  to  the  stable,"  she  begged. 

As  they  walked  slowly  to  the  house  he  turned 
to  her  and  said: 

"Miss  Apthorp,  you're  splendid!  Splendid! 
You've  got  more  good  nerve  than  I  ever  saw  in  any 

woman,  or  most  men,  for  that  matter "  But 

she  only  ran  up  the  steps  and  through  the  hall. 
As  she  went  upstairs  she  heard  Braveur  ask  and 
Morton  reply: 

"No,  Miss  Apthorp  said  she  would  go  up  at 
once  and  dress  before  tea." 

In  a  few  minutes  there  came  a  knock  at  her  door. 
240 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

She  got  off  the  bed  where  she  had  thrown  herself 
and  opened  it  a  little.  There  stood  Morton  with 
a  glass  in  his  hand. 

"Drink  this  —  all  of  it  at  once  —  will  you, 
sure  ?  " 

She  took  it,  nodded,  and  closed  the  door. 


24: 


XXIX 


\VHEN  she  came  down  to  dinner  Morton  was 
standing  in  the  hall.  He  turned  towards  her  and 
caught  a  look  he  had  not  seen  in  her  face  before. 
Then  they  went  in  to  dinner.  Afterwards  they 
were  to  go  over  to  a  dance  at  the  club.  On  the 
way  across  the  lawn  he  asked  in  a  low  voice: 

"All  right?" 

"Yes." 

"  Hadn't  you  better  go  to  bed  ?  " 

"No.     I'm  all  right  now  — but-    -" 

"Can  I  do  anything?" 

"No,  I  — I " 

"What  is  it?" 

"I  —  you  saved  me  from  a  —  a  bad " 

"Never  mind  that.  Come  and  sit  here.  We 
won't  go  in  just  now."  And  they  sat  on  the  end 
of  the  long  piazza. 

There  was  no  sound  for  a  time  but  the  wheezing 
of  the  summer  insects.  Yet  Miss  Apthorp  seemed 
242 


to  have  something  on  her  mind.     Suddenly  with- 
out turning  towards  him  she  said: 

"  I  think  I'm  going  to  apologise." 

"Don't,"  he  laughed  nervously.  "It  would 
keel  me  over." 

"  But  I  ought  to." 

"Because  the  beast  got  crazy?" 

"  Oh,  no." 

"Why,  then?" 

"  Because  I've  been  thinking  the  last  few 
days " 

"  Never  think,"  murmured  Peter. 

"About  my  —  about  the  stage."  She  was 
looking  out  into  the  darkness  and  speaking  very 
softly. 

"  Don't,  please ! "  begged  the  man  in  quite  a 
different  tone. 

"  I  must.  I  think  I  was  angry  at  myself  for  — 
for  not  telling  you  at  once  when  you  came 
here " 

"Look  here,"  said  Peter  abruptly.  "I  can't 
stand  this.  It's  all  right  if  you'll  only  not  lay 
it  up  against  me " 

"  But  I  don't." 

243 


A    BOX   OF    MATCHES 

"I  mean  if  you  can  forget  my  taking  you  — 
that  is  my  saying  what  I  did " 

"  But  I  never  did  blame  you." 

"  What ! " 

"Don't  you  see  I  was  angry  at  myself." 

"  Then  you're  not  really  mad  at  me  ?  " 

"  No— o." 

"And  you  don't  lay  it  up?" 

"  No— o." 

"And  —  and  I  can  —  that  is,  it's  all  right?" 

"  Yes." 

"And  we're  friends?" 

"Yes,  if  you're  willing " 

"Well,  I'm  not!" 

She  whirled  round  on  him,  anger  ready  to  blaze 
forth  again  —  and  then  her  eyes  fell.  She 
looked  down  at  her  hands  clasped  nervously  in  her 
lap,  and  the  dim  light  hid  the  colour  that  made  her 
cheeks  burn  so. 

"Did  you  hear?"  he  asked  gently,  as  he  stood 
over  her. 

"Yes,"  in  a  low  voice. 

"Did  you  understand?" 

No  answer. 

244 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"Did  you?" 

"I  won't  — I  don't  know n 


"Look  at  me  and  tell  me  if  you  understand." 

She  turned  her  face  up  to  him  with  eyes  that 
glistened  a  little.  She  could  not  speak,  and  so 
she  nodded  her  head. 

"Is  it  all  right,  then?" 

Still  looking  into  his  eyes  she  nodded  again. 

"No  friendship?" 

The  head  moved  slowly  from  side  to  side  and  a 
little  smile  crept  into  the  corners  of  her  mouth. 

"  And  you'll  never  be  unhappy  again  ?  " 

For  answer  she  put  her  hand  in  his. 

"Not  even  if  we  have  a  servant  named 
Maggie  ?  " 

"Don't  you  ever  mention  that  again,  Peter 
Morton!" 


245 


XXX 


"LUCY,  I'm  going  out  to  practise  Boston 
again." 

"Dear  child,  you'll  drive  that  poor  horse 
crazy." 

"I  can't  help  it.     He's  got  to  learn." 

"Why  don't  you  get  someone  who  can  —  er  — 
someone  to  help  you  ?  " 

"  It  is  my  teaching  that  is  going  to  make  Boston 
win." 

"Or  lose." 

"Thanks  for  your  encouragement,  dear,"  and 
a  vigorous  little  chin  went  up  in  the  air  as  the 
young  woman  marched  out  of  the  house  and 
mounted  a  half-bred  hunter  awaiting  her. 

She  had  no  sooner  gotten  out  of  the  house  than 
Braveur  came  in  from  the  stables. 

"Where's  Edith  Morgan,  Lucy?"  he  asked. 

"  She's  gone  out  on  Boston  to  practise.  The 
246 


A   BOX   OF    MATCHES 

girl  is  crazy  about  winning  something  at  the  horse 
show." 

"Thank  Heaven!"  said  he  presently. 

"Why,  Jim,  what's  the  matter?" 

"  Nothing,  except  that  if  she's  thinking  of  that, 
maybe  you  won't  succeed  in  getting  her  married." 

"  How  ridiculous !  I  never  thought  of  such  a 
thing!" 

"  I'll  bet  you  have  her  married  inside  a  week ! " 

"  You  needn't  worry,  sir.  She  can  get  anyone 
she  wants  for  a  husband.  She  really  looked  too 
pretty  for  anything  as  she  rode  off." 

"Well,"  replied  her  husband,  "it's  pretty 
near  time  for  another.  There's  a  month  passed 
now  since  you  got  Marjorie  Apthorp  arranged 
for." 

"  Jim,  if  you  weren't  my  own  husband,  I  cer- 
tainly should  never  speak  to  you  again." 

"  Think  of  you  never  speaking  again,"  mused 
Braveur,  with  the  ghost  of  a  twinkle  in  his  eye. 

"  How  awful ! "  exclaimed  his  wife  involuntarily. 

"Too  awful  for  me  to  think  of,"  and  he  ran 
before  she  quite  realised  his  meaning. 

A  few  minutes  of  country  road  and  then  the 
247 


A   BOX   OF    MATCHES 

young  horsewoman  turned  off  into  a  bit  of  rolling 
country  where  the  Naugatuck  Club  had  made  a 
rough  turf  track  of  a  mile  or  more,  interspersed 
with  jumps,  for  training  horses  and  for  exercise 
riding.  It  was  early,  and  she  hoped  to  be  alone. 

At  the  first  rail  was  a  groom,  hatless  and  in  his 
shirt-sleeves,  teaching  a  green  hunter  to  jump. 
That  was  bad.  Still,  she  made  for  the  fence  as 
if  no  one  were  near. 

Boston  refused.  A  smart  blow,  and  she  brought 
him  back.  At  the  second  try  he  turned  to  the  left 
so  quickly  that  the  girl  slipped  clean  out  of  the 
saddle.  As  she  fell  the  bottom  of  her  skirt  caught 
on  the  pommel,  and  there  she  hung  helpless,  still 
holding  the  reins,  her  head  just  clear  of  the  ground 
and  perilously  near  the  horse's  forefoot. 

Once  he  reared,  and  then,  before  she  quite 
realised  what  had  happened,  she  was  lifted  back 
into  the  saddle. 

"Dismount  at  once,"  said  a  sharp  voice. 

She  put  her  hands  on  the  groom's  shoulders  and 
was  on  the  ground  in  an  instant. 

"What  happened?"  she  gasped. 

"That  beast  refused  at  the  last  moment." 
248 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"  Good  gracious ! "  exclaimed  the  still  dazed  girl, 
putting  up  her  shaking  hands  to  rearrange  her 
hair. 

"Are  you  hurt?" 

She  looked  up  quickly  and  became  herself 
again. 

"Oh,  no.  Er  —  thank  you  very  much,  my 
good  man." 

There  came  a  surprised  look  in  the  man's  face, 
followed  by  an  amused  and  quizzical  smile.  He 
started  to  say  something  and  then  drew  back. 
She  noticed  nothing,  however,  as  an  idea  had 
suddenly  occurred  to  her. 

"  Whose  man  are  you  ?  " 

"Mr.  Winston's,  miss,"  said  he,  after  an  in- 
stant's hesitation. 

"  He  Doesn't  live  here,  does  he  ?  " 

"  No,  miss,"  touching  his  hair  with  his  fore- 
finger in  the  approved  fashion;  "he's  down  for 
the  Naugatuck  Horse  Show  next  week." 

"What  is  your  name?" 

"William,  miss." 

"Well,  William,  can  you  keep  a  secret?" 

"I  can  try,  miss." 

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A    BOX   OF    MATCHES 

"Then  listen.  I've  entered  Boston  in  the 
saddle  and  jumping  classes  for  the  show,  and  I 
do  so  want  him  to  win." 

"  Then  he'll  have  to  win,  miss." 

"But  I  can't  make  him  jump." 

"  It's  easy,"  said  the  groom  eagerly. 

"  If  you'll  coach  me  and  not  tell  a  soul  I'll  — 
I'll  make  it  worth  your  while." 

"  I'd  like  to  try  it." 

"All  right.     It's  a  bargain,  William.     Begin." 

"  You  don't  feel  ner  —  scared  with  that 
spill?" 

"  Not  at  all." 

"  Then,  if  you'll  mount,"  and  he  took  the  little 
riding-boot  in  his  palm  and  lifted  her  gently  into 
the  saddle. 

"  You've  good  nerve,  miss.  Don't  let  him  think 
you  haven't.  Take  the  reins  well  back  —  so. 
Now,  send  him  at  it  good,  and  when  he  takes  off 
let  up  on  the  reins  —  push  on  his  withers  —  so. 
And  don't  whip  him." 

"All  right,  William.     You  watch." 

She  came  on,  did  as  she  was  told,  and  Boston 
cleared  by  a  foot.  And  then  back  rode  the  young 

250 


A   BOX   OF    MATCHES 

woman,    the    groom    watching    with    ill-concealed 
admiration  her  flushed  and  smiling  face. 

"Shall  I  go  again?" 

"One  moment,  miss,  if  you'll  excuse  me." 

"  Go  right  ahead,  William.  I'm  in  your  hands, 
and  we've  made  a  bargain." 

"  Sure,  miss.  Sit  up  straight,  and  when  you 
come  up  to  it  don't  lean  forward  so.  Sit  right  up ! 
He'll  go  easier." 

She  did  as  he  ordered  and  came  back  after 
clearing  three  jumps  easily.  To  her  surprise  she 
saw  William  take  a  lump  of  sugar  out  of  his 
pocket  and  give  it  to  the  horse. 

"Why,  who'd  have  supposed  you  carried  such 
things,  William ! " 

"  It's  good  business,  miss.  When  a  horse  does 
well  give  him  a  sugar  plum.  He  likes  it  like 
other  people." 

"And  what  do  I  get?" 

"Praise,  my  lady." 

"Is  that  all?" 

"  You're  perfect  —  at  it." 

"William,  I  believe  you're  a  flatterer,"  smiling. 

"Any  horse  would  jump  with  you  up." 
251 


"  I  do  believe  old  Boston  is  bewitched." 

"  Who  wouldn't  be  ?  "  muttered  the  groom. 

"Now,  what?"  she  asked  expectantly. 

"If  you'll  try  the  six  jumps  —  each  is  a  little 
higher  than  the  other.  Take  it  easy,  miss." 
And  he  ran  by  her  side,  strangely  anxious, 
strangely  interested. 

She  cleared  them  all  in  high  glee. 

"Oh,  William,  that  is  splendid!  I  —  I  can't 
thank  you  enough."  And  then  suddenly  she  drew 
from  a  little  pocket  a  five-dollar  bill  and  held  it 
down  to  him. 

The  man  stiffened  quiekly  and  drew  back  in 
amazement. 

"Oh,  yes,  you  must!  This  is  our  compact. 
You  are  to  come  to-morrow  morning  and  give  me 
another  lesson.  Take  it!  You  must!" 

"To-morrow?" 

"Yes;  won't  you  please  come,  William?"  And, 
looking  into  the  fair,  pleading  face,  he  took  the 
money. 

"What  shall  I  do  now?" 

"  I'd  give  him  a  bit  of  a  rest.  If  you'll  dis- 
mount  "  And  she  put  her  two  hands  on  his 

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A   BOX   OF    MATCHES 

shoulders    and   was   lifted   down.        There   was    a 
moment  of  silence. 

"Has  Mr.  Winston  good  horses,  William?" 

"Pretty  good,  miss,  most  of  *em." 

"  Is  he  going  to  win,  do  you  think  ? " 

"  There's  one  over  there  that  will  make  good." 

"He  mustn't  beat  us,  must  he?" 

"  Sure  not,  miss." 

"  Have  you  been  long  with  him  ?  " 

"  Ever  since  he  had  any  horses." 

"  I  don't  wonder  he  wins,  then." 

"Asking  your  pardon,  miss,  do  you  know  Mr. 
Winston?" 

"  No.     But  I  hear  he's  going    to    win    every- 
thing." 

And  then  he  helped  her  to  mount  again  and 
they  put  Boston  a  second  time  through  his  paces. 

"  Now,  I  must  go,"  said  she  finally,  "  or  some- 
one will  see  me.     You  won't  tell,  will  you?" 

"Never,"   said  William. 

"  Not  even  another  groom  ?  " 

"No,  miss." 

"And   will  you  —  can   you   be   here   to-morrow 
morning  at  half -past  seven?" 
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A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"Maybe  I  can." 

"Then  it's  a  bargain.  You  sha'n't  lose  by  it." 
And  off  she  went. 

He  stood  where  he  was,  watching  her  as  she 
rode  away  in  the  morning  sunlight  —  watching 
with  all  his  eyes.  Then,  as  she  disappeared,  he 
put  his  hand  in  his  waistcoat  pocket,  pulled  out  a 
gold  cigarette-case  and  selected  a  cigarette. 
Then  he  said  aloud: 

"She's  beautiful!  Perfectly  beautiful!  Per- 
fectly beautiful!" 


254 


XXXI 


NEXT  morning  he  was  up  at  six,  and,  after  a  cup 
of  coffee  in  his  room,  he  rode  hastily  out  to  the 
Galloping  Grounds  and  waited.  Would  she 
come?  Half  -past  seven  arrived,  and  he  began 
to  give  up  hope.  Then  he  saw  her  coming  over 
the  rise  of  ground  a  little  distance  off,  and  his 
breath  came  quicker  as  he  stood  waiting  for  her. 

"  Good-morning,  William  !  You're  on  hand  to 
the  minute.  I'm  so  glad.  Will  Boston  do  as  well 
to-day,  do  you  think?" 

"  Better,  miss,"  said  he,  touching  his  hair  again. 
And  they  went  at  it,  the  girl  intent  on  the  success 
of  her  horse,  the  man  intent  on  something  else. 

And  so,  morning  after  morning  for  a  week, 
always  cautioned  to  secrecy,  he  saw  her  leave  with 
a  wave  of  her  hand.  Always  with  a  smile  he  saw 
her  come  in  the  clear  September  air.  And  each 
day  he  returned  to  the  club,  dressed  and  went  to 
town,  coming  down  late  in  the  evening. 

255 


A    BOX   OF    MATCHES 

On  the  last  day,  Thursday,  she  said: 

"I'm  so  nervous.     Suppose  he  should  refuse?" 

"  If  he  does,  don't  hit  him.  Take  it  easy. 
Trot  him  'round  a  bit  and  go  at  it  fresh  again." 

"  I  don't  know  what  I  should  have  done  \\  ithout 
you,  William!" 

"I'm  glad  to  do  it,  miss." 

"  I've  tried  to  meet  Mr.  Winston  and  tell  him 
quite  secretly,  but  he  won't  come  to  dinner.  He's 
in  town  all  the  time." 

"  I  guess  he's  pretty  busy." 

"  I  don't  see  how  he  can  expect  to  win  if  he 
doesn't  pay  any  more  attention  to  his  horses  than 
this." 

"  Well,  he  leaves  it  pretty  much  to  me,  you  see." 

"  And  he's  wise,"  she  nodded  to  him.  "  I  don't 
believe  he  half  appreciates  you.  If  you  ever  want 
another  place,  William,  you  come  to  me." 

"  Maybe  I'll  come  sooner  than  you  think." 

"  I  mean  it.     Remember  that." 

"  I'll  never  forget,  miss." 

"And  now  to  our  business.       This  is  the  last 
day.     To-morrow  is  the  show,  and  I  want  you  to 
take  this."     And  she  held  out  another  bill. 
256 


The  groom  stepped  back. 

"You  must,  William;  I-    -" 

"  I  couldn't.  I  ought  not  to  have  taken  the 
other." 

"  But  why  not  ?  " 

"  It  won't  do,  you  see.  I  couldn't  take  money 
for  coaching  a  —  a  horse  to  go  against  Mr.  Win- 
ston, could  I?"  And  he  chuckled  inwardly. 

"Oh,"  said  the  girl  quickly.  "I  didn't  mean 
it  that  way.  I-  -" 

"  I  know,  miss,"  said  he,  conscience-stricken. 

"Well,  I'll  make  it  up  to  you  afterward,  never 
fear." 

"  I  am  well  paid  now." 

"You  sha'n't  suffer,  William;  count  on  me  for 
that.  I  will  tell  Mr.  Winston  all  about  it  when  I 
meet  him." 

"I'm  sure  you  would,  miss." 

"  If  he  blames  you  in  the  least  I'll  plead  for 
you —  and  he'll  not  lay  it  up  against  you,  never 
fear." 

"  I  wonder  if  you  would  plead  for  me,"  thought 
the  groom  as  he  saluted  her  when  she  finally  rode 
away.  He  had  a  feeling  somewhere  in  his  insides 
257 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

that  he  had  been  playing  a  mean  part,  and  yet 
who 

However,  Friday  morning  found  the  ring  at  the 
top  of  the  Galloping  Grounds  bright  with  colour 
and  smart  gowns.  This  show  ring,  built  in  a 
small  field  surrounded  by  groves,  was  a  pretty 
sight.  All  about  the  rail  stood  coaches,  brakes, 
and  traps  of  all  sorts  set  close  together  and  filled 
with  bright  and  laughing  groups  of  men  and 
women.  Mrs.  Braveur  and  her  husband  had  half 
a  dozen  people  on  their  brake,  and  among  them  the 
girl,  who  was  now  so  excited  that  she  could  scarcely 
keep  quiet  while  she  sat  with  her  host  on  the  box- 
seat  watching  the  park  teams  circling  the  ring. 

"  Saddle-horse  next,  Edith,"  said  Braveur,  look- 
ing at  his  programme. 

"Don't  speak  of  it!"  cried  the  girl. 

"Not  rattled,  eh?" 

"Rattled!     I'm  so  nervous  I  can't  keep  still!" 

"Well,  you've  ridden  the  beast  enough,  Heaven 
knows." 

"That  isn't  it." 

"  I'll  ride  Boston  for  you  if  you  say  so." 

"Not  for  worlds!" 

258 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

Then  she  saw  William  outside  the  ring  and 
thought  he  did  not  look  very  trim  for  the  groom 
of  a  famous  horseman  like  Mr.  Winston,  but  she 
longed  so  to  have  him  advise  her  once  more  in  his 
calm  voice  that  she  noticed  little  else.  Then  the 
time  came  for  her  to  get  down  and  mount  Boston. 
And,  after  all,  she  was  not  half  so  nervous  as  she 
thought  she  would  be  as  she  waited  for  the 
bugle. 

In  that  instant  a  voice  behind  her  said: 

"  Keep   cool.     Sit   tight.     He'll  go   famously." 

"Oh,  William,"  she  breathed,  turning  toward 
him  and  seeing  him  mounted  on  a  big  hunter. 

"You  can't  miss  a  ribbon." 

"Do  you  really  think  so?" 

"I  know  it,"  and  into  the  ring  they  went. 

It  was  all  over  in  no  time,  and  then  the  tears 
stood  in  the  girl's  eyes  as  she  leaned  forward  and 
patted  old  Boston  to  hide  her  face,  while  a  groom 
pinned  a  bright  red  ribbon  on  the  horse's  bridle, 
and  everybody  clapped  and  cried  "Bravo"  as  she 
rode  once  more  around  the  ring. 

It  seemed  only  a  moment  when  she  was  called 
for  the  jumping  class. 

259 


A   BOX   OF    MATCHES 

In  she  went  again.  This  time  she  must  exhibit 
alone.  The  first  jump  looked  to  her  nervous 
vision  miles  high,  but  she  remembered  her  lesson 
and  put  Boston  at  it.  Over  he  went,  clean  and 
clear.  The  second  was  brush.  He  cleared  that, 
too.  And  so  the  third  and  fourth  —  all  clear. 
Then  the  girl  came  to  herself.  The  fifth  was 
higher.  Patting  Boston  gently,  she  sent  him  hard 
at  it,  and  a  roar  of  applause  went  up  on  all  sides. 
Boston  had  gone  over  by  a  good  foot.  And  then, 
turning  into  the  middle  of  the  ring,  she  made  for 
the  last  and  highest  jump.  But  something  —  the 
clapping,  perhaps  —  had  excited  the  horse,  and 
she  remembered  again  her  orders. 

Instead  of  putting  him  at  it  she  trotted  him 
slowly  around  the  ring  and  pulled  up  at  the  end 
for  an  instant.  And  there,  close  to  the  rail,  she 
heard  a  familiar  voice: 

"Loose  rein  —  straight  seat  —  keep  cool!" 

It  was  the  one  thing  needed.  With  a  touch  of 
her  foot  the  good  horse  started  forward  on  a  long 
gallop  and  ran  straight  for  the  big  jump.  For  an 
instant  a  sickening  dread  took  her.  Then  she  felt 
herself  sailing  through  the  air,  and  for  some  un- 
260 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

known  reason  turned  her  head  to  see  if  Boston  had 
hit. 

That  movement  lost  her  her  seat.  As  the  horse 
landed  and  the  crowd  started  to  shout  its  applause 
she  pitched  forward  and  rolled  in  a  heap  on  the 
ground.  There  was  a  cry  of  horror,  and  then 
they  saw  a  man  run  from  the  rail  and  pick  her  up 
as  if  she  had  been  a  child.  He  carried  her  ten- 
derly to  the  Braveurs'  brake,  and  the  whole  ring 
waited  and  asked  questions  and  watched. 

She  opened  her  eyes  and  looked  up  into  Wil- 
liam's anxious  face. 

"  Are  you  hurt?  "  he  whispered  in  a  tense  voice. 

"Why,  I  —  I  —  no,  no  —  it's  all  right." 

"Edith — Edith,  dear!"  cried  Mrs.  Braveur. 

"I'm  all  right,"  cried  the  girl,  trying  to  rise. 
Then  he  lifted  her,  and  she  stood  with  her  arm 
about  Mrs.  Braveur.  "  It's  nothing,"  she  added, 
laughing  a  little  hysterically.  "Did  I  clear?" 

"  Clear !  I  should  say  you  did,  and  you  got  the 
'blue,'  too,"  cried  Braveur,  and  then  everybody 
laughed  and  talked  a  great  deal.  And  in  the 
midst  of  it  she  turned  to  thank  William,  when  Jim, 
Braveur  said: 

261 


£   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

*'  Perhaps  you'd  like  to  meet  your  preserver." 

«Oh,  I  know " 

"Mr.  Winston,  Miss  Morgan." 

The  girl's  figure  stiffened  suddenly,  and  she 
looked  at  him  until  his  eyes  fell.  Then  she  drew 
in  her  breath  so  quickly  that  Mrs.  Braveur  put  her 
arm  around  her  again. 

"Edith,  dear,  you're  hurt!     What  is  it?" 

"  No,  no,  Lucy,  I'm  perfectly  sound ;  but  I  think 
I'll  walk  about  a  little.  It's  dreadful  to  attract 
so  much  attention."  And  she  forced  Mrs.  Bra- 
veur out  on  the  lawn. 

"By  George!"  she  heard  someone  say  behind 
her.  "Billy  Winston  didn't  take  long  to  cross 
that  ring,  did  he?" 

"  No,"  said  Jim's  voice.  "  He  had  her  before 
she  was  fairly  down." 

"He's  a  wonder,  that  feller.  Seemed  as  if  he 
had  known  what  was  coming.  Winston,"  he 
added,  "you  did  yourself  proud  that  time." 

"  Oh,  no.  I  happened  to  be  close  by,  that's 
all." 

Then  she  turned  and  looked  straight  into  his 
eyes. 

262 


'A  BOX  OF   MATCHES 

"  I  thank  you,  Mr.  Winston.  I  owe  you  a  great 
"deal,"  meaningly. 

"I'm  glad  it  wasn't  serious,  Miss  Morgan." 

"I  understand  you  are  always  near  by  to  help 
maidens  in  distress." 

The  man's  face  flushed  suddenly. 

"I  should  like  to  think  that  might  be  true." 

"  So  far  as  I've  seen  it  certainly  is  true."  And 
she  turned  quietly  from  him,  climbing,  with 
Braveur's  assistance,  into  the  middle  seat  of  the 
brake. 

"Whew!"  said  he.  "What's  the  matter  with 
poor  Winston?" 

"  Nothing  that  I  know  of,"  said  the  young 
woman  frigidly. 

"  You  nearly  snapped  his  head  off." 

"Did  I?" 

"Look!  there  goes  Boston  led  away  with  his 
blue  ribbon."  And  then  the  girl's  eyes  softened 
at  once. 

"  Dear  old  Boston !  It  was  my  fault.  But 
how  can  he  get  a  ribbon  if  I  fell?" 

"Why,  only  the  jumping  qualities  —  form  and 
so  on  —  count.     The  rider  isn't  considered." 
263 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"Thank  goodness!"  exclaimed  the  girl.  And 
then,  as  she  saw  Winston  walking  into  the  judges' 
stand,  it  suddenly  occurred  to  her  that  she  owed  it 
all  to  him. 


264 


XXXII 


A  FEW  hours  later  Miss  Morgan,  ready  for 
dinner,  stood  before  her  glass  examining  her  face 
with  some  care.  She  looked  almost  angry.  She 
was  certainly  piqued.  She  was  also  slightly  un- 
certain as  to  the  control  she  had  over  the  features 
reflected  in  the  mirror  —  those  features  which 
Nature  had  set  there  in  a  way  that  is  dangerous 
to  mankind.  "It  was  outrageous,"  she  mur- 
mured, still  studying  the  fair  face.  "  No  real 
gentleman  would  —  could  have  done  it.  I  won't 

go   down!       I   can't!       I "  and   she   walked 

slowly  and  with  much  dignity  out  of  her  room, 
downstairs,  and  into  the  presence  of  Winston,  who 
stood  with  his  back  to  the  fire  in  the  hall. 

She  stopped  at  the  foot  of  the  stairs  and  started 
back.  Then,  thinking  better  of  it,  she  moved 
across  the  hall  toward  him. 

"Will  you  give  me  my  five  dollars?" 
"I  —  they're  not  yours.     They're  mine." 
265 


A   BOX  OF   MATCHES 

"By  what  right?" 

"You  gave  them  to  me." 

"I  did  no  such  thing!  I  gave  them  to  your 
groom." 

"  He  gave  them  to  me." 

"He  was  a  gentleman,  at  least." 

"I  know  it  —  I'm  proud  of  him." 

"Are  you  proud  of  yourself?" 

"Yes.     Boston  won." 

"  Boston  has  nothing  to  do  with  it." 

"  Boston  did  the  whole  thing ! " 

"Will  you  give  me  back  that  money?" 

"I  want  to  keep  it." 

"Do  you  want  to  humiliate  me  still  further?" 

"Miss  Morgan!" 

"Do  you  think  I  must  have  still  further  indig- 
nities heaped  upon  me  because  I  presumed  to  take 
the  great  Mr.  Winston  for  his  own  groom  ?  " 

"  It  didn't  humiliate  me  to  be  taken  for  him." 

"  The  more  shame  to  you." 

"  Not  at  all !     I  never  had  a  happier  week." 

"  And  I  never  an  unhappier." 

He  looked  at  her  closely  for  a  moment. 

"Is  that  really  true?" 
266 


"Will  you  tell  me  how  it  could  be  otherwise?" 

"And  yet,  if  I  had  told  you,  you  would  never 
have  come  again." 

"Knowing  that,  you  continued?" 

"Well,  I  mean  — I-    -" 

"  Finding  a  girl  compromising  herself,  you  did 
not  think  her  worth  holding  out  a  hand  to 
save." 

"That's  not  true.     I-    -" 

"  It  is.  You  allowed  me  to  be  seen  meeting  you, 
morning  after  morning,  out  in  the  country. 
You " 

"  No  one  saw " 

"You  threw  me  open  to  all  sorts  of  gossip." 

"Miss  Morgan,  I-    -" 

"  You  took  pleasure  in  humiliating  me  day  after 
day." 

"  If  you  cry  I'll  go  down  on  my  knees  here  in 
the  hall." 

"  I've  no  intention  of  crying ! " 

"Will  you  come  and  sit  here,  and  let  me  tell 
jou " 

"No,  I  will  not!" 

"Then,  wiU  you  let  William " 


267 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"Oh!"  cried  the  girl,  putting  her  hands  over 
her  face. 

"  Listen,"  said  he,  coming  close  to  her. 

"I  won't!     I  can't!" 

"Miss  Morgan,  wait!  please!  Will  you  let 
William  speak  for  himself?" 

"Yes,"  said  she,  looking  up  quickly,  tears  of 
vexation  glistening  in  her  eyes.  "Yes,  I  would 
hear  William  at  any  time." 

"Then " 

"  But  he  has  gone." 

"Listen,  please!  He  did  his  best  —  this  Wil- 
liam —  he  taught  you  all  he  knew.  He  stood  there 
and  you  came  to  him  over  the  hills,  a  dream  of  the 
morning,  and  you  spoke  to  him.  He  knew  you 
would  fade  away  if  he  said  a  word." 

"He  might  have  succeeded  some  time  in  finding 
this  'dream  of  the  morning'  somewhere  on  the 
earth." 

"But  William  wasn't  worth  much." 

"  So  I  have  learned." 

"He  just  saw  you  and  couldn't  bear  to  break 
the  spell.     Did  you  ever  dream  a  dream  and  then 
suddenly  have  the  dream  come  true?" 
268 


"Miss  Morgan  ....  stood  before 
her  glass  examining  her  face  with 
some  care." 


A   BOX   OF    MATCHES 

"  How  idiotic  ! "  said  she  impatiently. 

"  I  suppose  it  is,"  and  he  turned  and  stirred  the 
fire. 

"Will  you  give  me  that  five  dollars,  Mr. 
Winston?" 

"It's  mine.     And,  besides,  I  haven't  it  here." 

"Aren't  you  man  enough  to  get  it?  Where 
is  it?" 

"Shall  I  tell  you?" 

"Yes;  and  if  you  haven't  enough  chivalry  to 
go  and  get  it  I  will  go." 

"  It  is  in  my  dressing-case  on  my  bureau  at  the 
club." 

"Any  five-dollar  bill  will  do,"  said  the  girl  in  a 
different  tone. 

"  I  want  to  keep  it." 

"  Then  wait  here."  And  she  picked  up  the 
front  of  her  white  skirt  and  ran  lightly  up  to  her 
room.  In  an  instant  she  returned.  "  Then  you 
will  take  this."  And  she  held  out  the  blue  ribbon 
for  the  jumping  class. 

"  Not  for  worlds ! "  cried  the  astonished  man, 
stepping  back. 

"  Hello,  people — hungry  ?  "  And  Braveur 
269 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

came  in  from  the  dining-room.  "Ah,  the  vain 
creature!"  he  added.  "She's  carrying  her  blue 
ribbon  around  with  her." 

"Miss  Morgan  was  good  enough  to  bring  it 
down  to  show  me,"  said  Winston.  And  then  the 
Altons  and  Winthrops  arrived  and  they  went  in 
to  dinner. 

"What  I  want  to  know,"  said  Winthrop  pres- 
ently—  "what  I  want  to  know  is  how  Miss  Mor- 
gan got  that  horse  into  such  training?  " 

"  I  can  tell  you,"  said  Lucy.  "  She's  been  hard 
at  it  every  morning  since  she  came  here." 

"Where?" 

"  She's  ridden  over  to  the  Galloping  Grounds 
every  day  and  spent  the  whole  morning  there." 

"  Must  have  been  some  attraction  besides  a 
horse,"  suggested  Braveur.  And  Winston  turned 
quickly  to  his  soup,  while  a  certain  young  woman 
could  have  cried  as  she  thought  that  she  \ras 
actually  blushing.  Then  suddenly: 

"There  -was  some  other  attraction." 

"What!"  cried  everybody. 

"  Who  ?"  asked  Braveur. 

"A  groom,"  said  the  girl,  smiling. 
270 


A    BOX   OF    MATCHES 

*' Edith,  dear!"  exclaimed  Mrs.  Braveur. 

"I'll  tell  you  the  idyl,  shall  I?" 

"  By  all  means,  though  it  seems  to  smell  a  little 
of  the  stable." 

"Well,  this  is  a  Horse-Show  dinner,  isn't  it?" 
asked  Braveur. 

"Listen,  good  people."  There  came  a  bright 
spark  in  the  girl's  eye.  "I  rode  out  one  morning 
in  despair " 

"Does  it  ride  easily?" 

"Dry  up,  Winthrop.  Listen  to  the  Tale  of 
Grooms." 

"  Boston  was  hopeless.  Lucy  said  I  was  going 
to  lose " 

"  But  you  didn't,  after  ah1,"  interpolated  Mrs. 
Braveur. 

"  I  turned  into  the  Galloping  Grounds  and  came 
upon  a  groom " 

"Good-looking?"  asked  Braveur. 

She  hesitated  a  moment  and  appeared  to  think. 

"Not  very.  Rather  common-looking,  as  I 
remember  him." 

Winston  straightened  his  tie. 

"  Poor  man,"  said  Winthrop. 
271 


A   BOX  OF   MATCHES 

"And  I  put  Boston  at  a  low  rail.  He  refused, 
and  I  fell  off  and  hung  by  my  skirt." 

"Edith!  how  dreadful!" 

"  The  groom  seemed  to  be  expecting  it,  for  he 
had  me  back  in  the  saddle  before  I  knew  what  had 
happened." 

"Winston,  you  and  the  groom  are  in  the  same 
class  on  rescues." 

Winston  did  not  answer.  He  could  not  take 
his  eyes  off  the  girl,  as  with  heightened  colour  she 
went  on: 

"Then  he  told  me  why  I  lost  my  seat,  and  how 
to  sit  better,  and  how  to  send  Boston  up  to  the 
fence,  and  —  everything." 

"  Good  for  the  groom ! " 

"And  every  morning,  for  a  week  and  more,  he 
gave  me  my  lesson.  I  didn't  say  anything  about 
it  till  the  show  was  over,  but  now  I  don't  care. 
He  did  his  work  well,  and  I  paid  him,"  with  a 
marked  emphasis  on  the  "paid." 

"  I  didn't  know  there  was  a  groom  around 
here  that  knew  enough  for  that,"  mused  Bra- 
veur. 

"This  man  was  unusual." 
272 


A   BOX   OF    MATCHES 

"  I  should  say  so.  I'd  like  to  get  hold  of  a 
feller  like  that.  Whose  man  was  he?  " 

"He  said  he  worked  for  Mr.  Winston,"  and 
Miss  Morgan  looked  down  at  her  plate. 

"What  '11  you  take  for  him,  Winston?"  asked 
Braveur. 

"  Couldn't  let  him  go,"  laughed  Winston. 
"He's  been  with  me  too  long.  Knows  my  ways, 
yx>u  see." 

A  fair  young  personage  sniffed  audibly. 

"  Edith,  I'm  a  little  scandalised  at  your  meet- 
ing a  groom  every  day,"  said  Lucy  deprecat- 
ingly.  "But  I  suppose  the  groom  ^sn't  so  bad 
as " 

"His  master?"  asked  Bravem. 

Winston  laughed  lightly,  but  kept  his  eyes  on 
her  face,  and,  seeing  an  expression  of  pain  there, 
he  changed  the  subject. 

After  dinner,  walking  over  the  lawns  to  the  club 
for  the  Horse-Show  dance,  he  managed,  in  spite  of 
her,  to  walk  by  her  side. 

"Miss  Morgan." 

"Mr.  Winston?" 

"I  apologise." 

273 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"  It's  very  easy  to  say  those  two  words." 

"  And  yet  you'll  forgive  me." 

"  Oh,  you  think  so  ?  "  looking  up  at  him. 

"Yes." 

"  Will  you  let  me  ask  why  ?  " 

"  Will  you  let  me  answer  in  your  own  words  ?  '* 

"  Certainly." 

"'You  sha'n't  suffer,  William '" 

"But  that " 

"'Count  on  me '" 

"It  isn't  fair  to-    -" 

"  *  If  he  blames  you  in  the  least  I'll  plead  for 
you.'" 

The  girl's  eyes  were  on  the  ground  and  her  face 
had  changed  again. 

"Even  so,"  said  she  suddenly.  "It  was  only 
if  you  blamed  —  er " 

"  I  do  blame  him,  Miss  Morgan." 

"Then  you're  really  sorry?"  looking  up 
quickly. 

"  No,  not  in  the  least." 

"But  you " 

"Apologise?  Yes,  surely,  because  I've  hurt 
you." 

274 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"Why  aren't  you  sorry?" 

"Because  I'd  do  the  same  thing  again  —  if  you 
came  again." 

"And  hurt  a  girl's  feelings?" 

"  Have  I  really  done  that  ?  " 

"Yes,  you  have,  and  I  don't  think  it  was  fair — 
fair  sport." 

"It  was  good  sport " 

"Mr.  Winston!" 

"I  beg  your  pardon.  But,  dear  lady,  I  —  I 
—  it  was  so  good  to  see  you  and  it  was  all  so 
unrestrained,  and  now " 

"And  now?" 

"  Well,  there's  something  strained  now,  all  right, 
and  —  I'm  sorry." 

She  walked  in  silence  up  the  club  steps. 

"Will  you  dance  with  me?"  he  asked. 

"No,  I  don't  think  I  will,"  and  she  looked 
steadily  at  him. 

"Punishment?" 

"I'm  not  so  conceited  as  some  people,  Mr. 
Winston." 

"Don't  you  care  to  dance  with  me?" 

"Is  there  any  reason  why  I  should?" 
275 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"You're  very  severe,  Miss  Morgan,"  and  his 
face  hardened  a  little  as  he  walked  into  the  room 
where  people  were  dancing  and  gave  her  up  to  the 
first  man  that  asked  her  to  dance. 

As  she  circled  around  the  room  the  Horse-Show 
colours  of  the  decorations  reminded  her  of  Boston's 
ribbons,  and  it  was  only  a  step  to  what  had  helped 

—  perhaps  made  —  him  win.     After  all,  if  it  had 
really  been  a  groom  he  could  not  have  taught  her 
all  that  in  one  short  week;  after  all,  he  had  done 
more  than  most  people  could  have  done  to  win  her 
what  she  most  wanted;  after  all,  it  —  it  had  been 

—  amusing.     And  then  she  blushed. 

There  was  a  cotillon  later.  She  noticed  that 
Winston  did  not  dance,  that  he  had  no  partner. 
She  noticed,  too,  that  he  stood  with  a  group  of 
men  by  the  door,  and  that  he  was  usually  looking 
at  her  as  she  danced.  After  all,  Boston  had  won. 
And  she  walked  up  to  the  table  and  discovered  that 
the  favours  were  riding  stocks. 

Again  the  girl  flushed  brightly  as  she  smiled 
and  moved  over  to  the  door.  The  men  spread  to 
either  side,  supposing  she  wished  to  pass.  But  she 
stepped  up  to  Winston. 

276 


A  BOX  OF  MATCHES 

"  Perhaps  you  may  have  some  use  for  this  whip,"" 
said  she. 

"  Thank  you,"  said  he.  "  In  my  present  frame 
of  mind  I  think  after  the  dance  I'll  go  and  beat 
William." 

"Don't  be  too  hard  on  him,"  as  they  swung 
around  the  room. 

"Why?" 

"He  made  Boston  win,  after  all." 

"  You  are  pleading  for  him  ?  " 

"  Not  in  the  least." 

"Then " 

"  Chastise  him  for  being  disrespectful  to  a  help- 
less girl,  and  then  —  then  thank  him  for  me." 

"  May  I  tell  you  the  result  to-morrow  ?  " 

"  I  hardly  think  it's  worth  while,"  said  Miss 
Morgan. 


277 


XXXIII 


NEXT  day,  Saturday,  was  the  second  day  of 
the  show.  All  the  morning  the  traps  were  filled 
with  the  same  people,  and  the  different  parties  had 
luncheon  on  their  big  coaches  or  in  under  the  trees 
near  by.  It  was  just  as  the  afternoon  events 
began  that  Winston  came  up  to  the  Braveurs' 
party  strolling  out  of  the  woods  from  luncheon. 

They  could  not  sit  on  the  brake,  as  Jim  was 
going  to  show  his  four  in  the  ring. 

"Have  you  had  enough  for  a  time?"  asked 
Winston  of  Miss  Morgan. 

"You  know  it  does  get  tiresome  after  forty- 
eight  hours,"  she  acknowledged. 

"  Then  come  and  walk  with  me  and  I'll  report," 
and  they  turned  into  one  of  the  wooded  paths  — 
some  old  timber  road,  perhaps  —  and  strolled 
away. 

"William's  had  his  beating,"  sighed  Winston. 

"Did  he  take  it  well?" 
278 


"No;  he  objected.  He  said  he  meant  no 
harm." 

"Isn't  he  ever  repentant?" 

"Yes,  very.  Wants  to  know  what  he  can  do 
to  make  up  for  his  mistakes  ?  " 

"  Tell  him  to  return  my  five  dollars,"  smiling. 

"  He's  gone  and  spent  it." 

"  Oh,  how  unsentimental,"  and  she  laughed  in 
spite  of  herself. 

"Wasn't  it?" 

"  I  suppose  he  drank  it  up,"  mischievously. 

"No— o." 

"  Eat  it  up,  then." 

"No.     Something  worse  than  that." 

"What  did  he  do?     I'm  curious  to  know." 

"The  idiot  went  and  bought  this,"  and  he  held 
up  a  leather  picture-frame  out  of  which  looked  a 
photograph  of  herself. 

"Mr.  Winston,  where  did  you  get  that  pic- 
ture?" demanded  the  girl,  stopping  short  under 

the  trees. 

«  j j » 

"Take  it  out  at  once." 
"  It  was  given  to  me." 

279 


"  Nonsense.     Give  it  back  to  me." 

"I  tell  you  it  isn't  yours." 

"Who  gave  it  —  wait!"  And  she  examined  it 
carefully  as  he  held  it  up  well  out  of  her  reach. 

"Oh,  I'll  pay  Lucy  Braveur  for  this!"  And 
she  clenched  the  white  gloved  hands  in  rage  and 
amazement. 

Then  Winston  calmly  put  it  back  in  his  pocket. 

"Mr.  Winston,  I'm  not  angry.  I  simply  ask 
you  to  give  that  back  to  me."  There  was  some- 
thing in  the  quiet  tone  that  forced  him  to  take  out 
the  picture,  frame  and  all,  and  gave  it  to  her. 

Then  they  walked  on  in  silence  for  a  time. 
Gradually  he  began  to  talk  calmly  about  other 
things,  and  before  they  knew  it  the  quick  autumn 
twilight  was  upon  them. 

"Goodness  me!"  cried  the  girl.  "We  must 
get  back." 

And  they  turned  and  walked  more  quickly 
through  the  woods.  The  little  path  was  hardly 
discernible  now,  and  they  were  going  down  a  steep 
hill,  he  in  the  lead  to  find  the  way,  she  following. 
Suddenly  he  heard  a  quick  cry  and  turned  to  see 
her  fall  heavily.  Even  before  he  could  reach  her 
280 


"  'The  idiot  went  and  bought  this.'  " 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

she  had  tried  to  get  up  and  had  fallen  again ;  and 
then,  by  the  pale,  drawn  face,  he  knew  that  some- 
thing had  happened. 

"What  is  it?"  he  cried  under  his  breath  as  he 
lifted  her. 

"My  foot.     My  foot." 

"Is  it  bad?" 

"  I  can't  stand  on  it." 

"  It  hurts  you,  I  can  see." 

"Wait  a  moment!"  Then,  holding  by  a  tree 
with  one  hand  and  grasping  his  arm  with  the  other, 
she  made  a  try.  There  was  a  little  cry  of  pain,  and 
she  looked  up  at  him  with  a  white  face. 

"  Don't  try  it ! "  he  said  sharply.  "  Wait !  Sit 
down  here  a  moment."  He  made  his  way  through 
the  trees  and  came  quickly  back. 

"There's  a  road  just  below  here." 

"Far?" 

"  No.  Now,  brace  up  your  courage.  I'm  going 
to  carry  you." 

"No,  no!  You  can't."  And  the  colour  came 
flooding  back  into  her  cheeks. 

"  Nonsense !    Ready  ?  " 

"  I  can  walk  now,  I  am  sure." 
281 


A  BOX  OF  MATCHES 

"  Very  well,  try." 

But  the  first  attempt  showed  how  futile  it  was. 
Without  a  word  he  stooped  down  and  gently  lifted 
her,  and  it  seemed  so  ridiculously  impossible  in  these 
two  that  she  flushed  in  embarrassment  as  she  put 
her  arm  tightly  around  his  neck  to  help  him. 

Not  a  word  did  either  say  as  he  carried  her 
through  the  bushes  down  the  hillside. 

"  I'm  too  heavy,"  murmured  the  girl. 

"Heavy!  I  could  carry  you  for  miles."  And 
suddenly  they  came  out  on  the  road. 

"  Put  me  down  now,  please,"  she  begged,  and  he 
gently  set  the  strong  foot  on  the  ground  and  held 
her. 

"Where  are  we?" 

"I'm  blessed  if  I  know.  This  is  a  new  country 
to  me." 

"  And  Fve  never  been  here  before,  either.  What 
shall  we  do?" 

"  There's  a  house.  Come,  we're  off."  And  again, 
without  a  word,  he  lifted  her  and  walked  the  two 
hundred  yards  to  the  farm-house  door. 

Once  inside  he  had  the  household  on  the  run  in  a 
moment ;  and  the  girl,  sitting  alone  in  the  rocking- 
282 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

chair-and-wasp-nest  parlour,  leaned  back  and  shut 
her  eyes,  trying  to  bear  the  pain  without  much 
thought  of  what  might  be  happening. 

In  a  moment  Winston  walked  in,  carrying  a 
bucket  of  steaming  water. 

"  What  is  that  ?  "  she  asked  apprehensively.  He 
looked  down  at  her  and  said  sternly: 

"  Miss  Morgan,  take  off  your  shoe  and  put  your 
foot  in  that  water." 

"  I  won't ! "  said  she  abruptly. 

"  You  do  just  what  I  say,  young  woman.  Put  out 
the  foot  immediately,  or  I'll  find  it." 

With  speechless  meekness  she  let  him  cut  the  tie 
and  slit  the  shoe,  and  then,  with  a  sigh  of  inexpres- 
sible relief,  she  put  her  foot  in  the  hot  water. 

"  Oh,  if  you  knew  how  good  that  is ! "  she  cried, 
with  tears  in  her  eyes. 

"Know!  Don't  I  know?  Now,  in  fifteen  minutes 
we'll  have  a  wagon  and  in  half  an  hour  more  we'll 
be  home." 

Looking  up,  she  saw  something  in  his  eyes,  and, 
perhaps  because  of  the  immense  relief  from  pain  in 
her  foot,  she  laughed  up  at  him. 

"What  a  ridiculous  predicament." 
283 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"  Thank  God  for  that  smile ! "  cried  Winston  in 
high  spirits.  "They  can't  beat  us."  And  then 
came  word  that  the  wagon  was  at  the  door. 

Without  so  much  as  a  "  by  your  leave,"  he  lifted 
her  and  carried  her  out  to  the  back  seat,  and  then 
appeared  again  with  the  bucket  of  hot  water. 

"You  can't  put  that  in  here,"  cried  the  girl  in 
amazement. 

"Watch  me." 

And  so  they  started  homeward,  the  dainty  girl 
with  her  foot  in  the  bucket  that  kept  spilling  as 
they  went  along,  the  man  sitting  quietly  by  her. 

"  You're  very  good,"  cried  the  girl.  "  I'm  so  — 
so  sorry." 

"Don't  you  cry!  Stop  it!"  commanded 
Winston. 

"I  —  I  can't  help  it."  And  the  man  could  do 
nothing  but  sit  by  and  wait. 

So  they  rode  on  for  three  or  four  miles  with  little 
speech,  till  at  last  he  lifted  her  out  at  the  Braveurs' 
door  amidst  the  amazement  and  surprise  of  the 
family. 

Late  the  next  afternoon  Winston  came  over  from 
the  club  and  met  Lucy  in  the  hall. 
284 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"How  is  she?" 

"  Getting  along  famously.  She's  sprained  her 
ankle." 

"Can  I  see  her?" 

"  I  shouldn't  wonder,"  smilingly. 

"What's  the  matter?" 

"  Nothing,  only  she  seems  to  be  expecting  some- 
one." 

"What  under  the  sun  do  you  mean,  fair 
lady?" 

"  Did  you  ever  see  such  vain  things  as  women 
are!  That  bad  girl  insisted  on  getting  up  three 
hours  ago  and  dressing  in  her  most  becoming  tea- 
gown.  And  there  she  sits  upstairs  in  the  sewing- 
room.  I  wonder  why?" 

But  he  was  half-way  upstairs. 

"  Jim,  dear,"  said  Lucy  presently  to  her  spouse, 
"  would  you  mind  kissing  me  ?  " 

"  Why  ?  "  laughed  he  as  he  obeyed  orders. 

"Oh,  I  don't  know;  just  for  fun." 

Winston  knocked  at  the  sewing-room  door,  and, 

upon  being  bidden,  went  in.     Over  by  the  window 

sat  the  girl  on  a  lounge,  in  a  white  lacelike  gown, 

smiling  at  him.    He  went  hurriedly  to  her  and,  tak- 

285 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

ing  her  hand,  held  it  an  instant,  and  then,  quietly, 
gently,  took  her  in  his  arms  and  kissed  her. 

"  I  can't  help  it !  I  can't,"  cried  he.  "  Do  you 
mind?" 

"I  don't  know  —  quite,"  breathed  the  girl  with 
shining  eyes.  And  then  for  a  space  they  said  noth- 
ing, but  sat  there  quietly,  the  brown  head  on  his 
shoulder,  while  the  sun  dropped  below  the  horizon. 

"  And  the  poor  foot  ?  " 

"  Better,"  whispered  the  girl. 

"And  you?" 

"  So  happy !  so  happy ! " 

"After  all,  I'm  the  groom,  still." 

"  What  do  you  mean  ?  " 

"  Bridegroom." 

She  sat  upright  and  looked  at  him.  Then,  assum- 
ing the  tone  for  the  original  groom,  she  said  with- 
out a  smile: 

"William,  such  a  joke  as  that  is  maudlin." 

"Yes,  miss." 

"  William,  you  will  never  be  anything  but  a  wit- 
less groom." 

"Yes,  miss." 

"William,"  in  a  very  different  tone. 
286 


A  BOX  OF  MATCHES 

"Yes?" 

"  Will  you  take  good  care  of  me  ?  " 
"God  helping  me,  I  will,  Edith,"  said  the  man 
solemnly  and  tenderly. 

"  Then  you  may  keep  the  five  dollars  —  dear." 


287 


XXXIV 


WINTER  was  on  them  quicker  than  usual  that 
year  and  the  Naugatuck  colony  moved  to  town 
early  in  December.  The  Braveurs  had  long  ago 
made  up  their  minds  to  have  a  good  time  in  life, 
provided  their  children's  education  and  bringing 
up  were  not  interfered  with.  And  so  they  had  no 
sooner  gotten  settled  in  the  city  than  Lucy 
announced  that  she  was  going  to  give  a  dinner 
dance  at  Delmonico's. 

That  settled  it. 

Jim  merely  smiled  and  prepared  to  foot  the  bills. 

But  as  something  happened  that  needs  explana- 
tion, let  us  preface. 

The  Naugatuck  clubhouse  was  kept  open  all  the 
year  round.  It  was  a  country  club  in  summer,  a 
fishing  club  in  the  early  spring,  and  a  gun  club 
and  bird  club  in  the  winter.  A  day  or  two  bcfon- 
the  famous  dance  a  well-built  young  man  of  about 
thirty  sat  by  the  big  wood  fire  in  the  huge  room  of 
288 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

the  club  down  in  the  country  with  that  placidity 
which  the  first  day  with  the  wild  ducks  gives  to  a 
tired  man. 

The  wheels  of  the  station  buckboard  sounded 
outside,  the  door  opened  and  another  man,  perhaps 
a  little  less  vigorous,  perhaps  not  quite  so  strong 
in  t'aee  and  body,  walked  in. 

"Halloa,  Dick,"  said  he. 

"Ilalloa,  Freddie,  what  brings  you  into  the 
wild-" 

"  I'm  done  up,  Dick  !  I  can't  reach  it !  I  —  come 
up  to  my  room,  will  you?  I've  got  to  talk  to  some- 
body." 

A  moment  later,  one  sitting  on  the  bed,  the  other 
unpacking,  Freddie  said: 

"  Richard,  Fm  useless  !  " 

"  No  more  than  usual,  I  hope,"  said  the  other 
politely. 

"  Well,  I  just  pass  !     Fm  dead  to  the  world  ! " 

"  1  f  you  would  talk  the  English  language  I 
might  gather  the  context."  suggested  Richard. 

"  Look  here,  Dick.  I  say  to  the  devil  with 
women  ! " 

"Ah  ! "  mused  his  friend.    *»A  woman !" 
289 


A   BOX   OF    MATCHES 

"I  didn't  say  so!  Oh,  I  can't  talk  to  anyone! 
I  came  here  to  be  alone." 

"Excuse  me,"  interrupted  Richard,  rising  and 
moving  toward  the  door. 

"  Don't  be  an  ass,  man.  I've  got  to  be  with  some- 
one or  I'll  commit  suicide." 

"  So  bad  as  that  ?  Come  after  some  ducks  with 
me  in  the  morning." 

"  May  I  go  with  you  ?  " 

"Will  it  save  you  from  suicide?" 

"  It  might  ease  my  mind  a  bit." 

"  Then  go  it  is. — I'm  in  for  it  now,"  he  added  to 
himself,  as  he  went  to  his  own  room.  "  It's  a 
woman ;  and  I  can  help  a  man  on  the  woman  ques- 
tion about  as  easily  as  I  can  help  a  camel  on  the 
needle  question." 

It  was  two  o'clock  in  the  morning  when  old  Cap- 
tain Barkus  knocked  at  Richard's  door  and  bade 
him  get  up. 

"  No,  I'm  darned  if  I  will,"  replied  that  gentle- 
man sleepily. 

"  It's  getting  on  toward  sunrise,  Mr.  Darley," 
said  the  Captain  through  the  door. 

"  I  don't  care  if  it's  sunset ! " 
290 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"  Come  on,  Dick,  I'm  up,"  said  Freddie  through 
the  door  of  his  adjoining  room. 

Darley  sat  up  in  bed. 

"You  haven't  slept,  Freddie!" 

"No." 

"Reached  anything  yet?" 

"No." 

"  Lord !  Lord ! "  muttered  Darley  as  he  got  slowly 
out  of  bed.  "  It's  coming ! " 

So  they  dressed  by  candle  light,  walked  down- 
stairs and  ate  an  egg  and  drank  a  cup  of  coffee 
with  the  Captain. 

"Are  the  birds  flying  this  morning,  think, 
Barkus?"  asked  Darley. 

"  Sure,  sir.  There  ain't  been  no  sign  o'  moon ; 
like  enough  thick  weather  to  seaward  and  the  wind 
comin'  in  from  the  east'ard  pretty  smart.  But  you 
gentlemen  have  got  to  move."  And  so  they  got  out 
into  the  night,  and  came  to  the  stand,  and  set  out 
the  decoys,  and  watched  the  Captain  and  his  son 
row  in  either  direction  to  turn  toward  them  what- 
ever of  wild  ducks  might  come  in. 

"  We'll  get  a  crack  soon,  Freddie.  It's  an  ideal 
morning  for  them." 

291 


A  BOX  OF  MATCHES 

No  response  from  the  other. 

"Suicidal  leanings  still  strong?" 

"  Saj,  look  here,  Dick.  Do  you  know  Ethel 
Talbot?" 

"Lord!  Lord!"  moaned  Richard  to  himself. 
"It's  come!"  Aloud  he  answered,  "No;  why 
should  I?" 

"  Well,  you  know  who  she  is  ?  " 

"Certainly.  She  is  Albert  Talbot's  daughter. 
He's  treasurer  of  this  club." 

"I  suppose  so.    Well,  she's  it,  Dick." 

"Oh,  is  she?    Why  doesn't  she  tag  you,  then?" 

"  Don't  be  an  ass !    I  —  she  —  I  —  she " 

"  It  ?  "  suggested  his  friend. 

"Hang  it,  man,  she  says  I  don't  do  anything; 
she  says  what's  the  good  of  a  man  who  doesn't  reach 
out;  she  says  she'll  be  damned  if  she'll  tie  up  to  a 
slob  like  me." 

"  Nice  language  she  uses,"  interrupted  Richard, 
as  he  kept  his  eyes  on  the  horizon. 

"  Well,  you  know.    She  won't  stand  for  it." 

"How  much  have  you  got,  Freddie?" 

"Five  thousand  a  year." 

"How  much  of  it  did  you  make?" 
292 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"  Make  ?  You  know  very  well  the  governor  left 
it  to  me." 

"  What  do  you  do  for  more?  " 

"Why,  nothing." 

Darley  watched  the  light  grow  in  the  east  for  a 
moment  and  then  said : 

"  She  probably  is  a  decent  girl  as  women 
go " 

"  She's  a  dream,  man ! " 

"  Decent  girl  as  women  go,  and  wanted  to 
see  if  you  could  do  anything.  And  you  killed  the 
goose  by  saying  you  wouldn't  try." 

"  But  we  could  live  on  what  I  have  and  what 
she " 

"  By  gad,  here  they  come ! "  cried  Darley  sud- 
denly. "  Right  there  to  the  eastward  of  the  point. 
Keep  down,  man !  Keep  down !  Now  they  turn. 
Wait  till  I  tell  you  to  fire.  They'll  be  over  the 
'coys  in  an  instant.  Take  the  last  bird,  Freddie, 
the  last  bird!  Easy  —  easy  —  they've  turned  — 
no,  here  they  come !  Wait,  now,  wait ! "  The  little 
specks  seemed  to  grow  suddenly  larger  instead  of 
coming  nearer  and  then  they  swung  in  over  the 
decoys  and  came  on  with  prodigious  velocity. 

293 


A   BOX   OF    MATCHES 

"Now!"  And  both  men  fired.  The  last  bird 
moved  swiftly  on.  The  next  to  the  last  dropped 
Into  the  water. 

"Thunder!     I  believe  I  missed." 

"  I  believe  you  did,  Freddie,"  and  they  waited  to 
see  if  the  birds  would  turn  in  a  second  time. 

"  I  can't  hit  anything.     I'm  too  done  up." 

"Well?" 

"  Well.  I  told  her  I'd  try  to  do  something,  and 
she  said  she  couldn't  agree  to  any  waiting  game  — 
and  what  the  deuce  can  I  do?" 

"  What  is  the  name  of  that  uncle  of  yours  ? " 
asked  Darley  the  next  moment. 

"  Who  ?    Uncle  William  Stevens  ?  " 

"Yes,  what  is  he?" 

"  President  of  the  Ninth  National,  downtown." 

"Go  to  him  and  get  a  ten-dollar-a-week  job. 
Then  see  what  the  lady  says." 

Silence  for  a  moment. 

"Dick,  you  are  invited  to  the  Braveurs'  dance 
for  Monday  night " 

"  And  I'm  not  going." 

"Will  you  go  and  meet  her  and  talk  to  her  — 
and  —  tell  her  about  it?" 
294 


A  BOX  OF  MATCHES 

A  groan,  all  but  audible,  was  followed  by  a  start, 
"There  they  come  again!  Get  down!  Ge-e-et 
down,  low!  Easy,  now,  easy!  And  for  Heaven's 
sake,  don't  miss  tin's  time!" 


295 


XXXV 


THE  Braveurs'  dance  was  in  full  force  up  on  an 
upper  floor  of  Delmonico's —  some  hundred  people 
or  more  —  and  as  Darley  entered  somewhat  late  he 
saw  a  whirl  of  dark  figures  mixed  up  with  pink 
and  blue  and  white  gowns  of  a  very  fairylike 
nature.  It  was  a  pretty  sight,  and  he  stood  watch- 
ing it  when  one  black-and-white  affair  dissolved 
itself  into  two  people,  and  he  was  shaking  hands 
with  a  young  person  with  gray  eyes  and  brown  hair 
whom  Freddie  Beaumont  introduced  as  Miss  Ethel 
Talbot. 

"I've   heard   a    great    deal    about   you,"    she 
said. 

"Nice  subject,  isn't  it?" 

"  I  don't  know  yet." 

"Where  have  you  been,  Dick,  all  the  evening?" 
asked  Beaumont. 

"  Working,"  replied  the  other,  as  Freddie,  with- 
out waiting  for  a  reply,  took  himself  off. 
296 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"Working  at  what?"  asked  a  quiet  voice,  as 
Darley  felt  a  white  glove  take  his  proffered  arm. 

"  The  struggle  for  existence,  so-called,"  he 
answered. 

"What  do  you  do,  Mr.  Darley?" 

"  Lord,  Lord !  Here  is  where  it  all  came  from," 
he  muttered.  Then  he  said  aloud :  "  Oh,  I  write 
editorials  that  astound  the  universe " 

"  But  you  are  really  at  work  and  doing  some- 
thing?" 

"  Well,  you  see  neither  Freddie's  governor  nor 
mine  left  me  five  thousand  a  year."  And  his  eye- 
brows rose  slightly. 

The  gray  eyes  certainly  showed  the  possibilities 
of  humour. 

"Freddie  has  just  seen  his  uncle,  and  a  week 
from  to-day  he  goes  into  the  bank  to  begin  work." 

"At  ten  dollars  a  week?"  he  asked  appre- 
hensively. 

"  No,"  laughed  the  young  lady ;  "  at  fifty  dollars 
a  week." 

"That's    a    splendid   beginning,"    said    Darley. 
"  And,  Miss  Talbot,  Freddie  Beaumont  is  worth  it, 
worth  very  much  more  —  don't  you  think  so  ?  " 
297 


A  BOX  OF  MATCHES 

"Do  you  think  so?" 

"  I  do.    Much  more." 

"You  like  shooting,  don't  you?" 

"Yes.    We  all  like  what  we  cannot  get." 

"  So  do  I,"  said  she  quietly. 

"What   do   you   shoot   with?"   and   he   looked 
straight  in  her  eyes. 

Miss  Talbot  returned  the  look  for  an  instant. 

"  Are  you  a  flirt,  Mr.  Darley  ?  " 

"  God  forbid,  madam,"  he  said  hastily. 

"I  think  He  does,"  she  answered.     Then,  after 
a  pause :    "  Do  you  write  only  editorials  ?  " 

"  No ;  I  write  great  works :  poems,  novels,  plaj-s." 

"Do  you  really?    Where  are  they  published?" 

"  They  are  seldom  published,  Miss  Talbot.    Only 
the  grasping  money-makers  publish  their  works." 

"You   are   making   fun   of   me.      Tell   me   the 
truth." 

"  I  wouldn't    dare    to  —  shall    we    go    in    and 
dance  ? " 

"  No !  let  us  go  into  that  palm-room  and  sit  down 
instead." 

"  You  read  my  thoughts.    You  are  really  a  very 
wonderful  person." 

298 


A   BOX  OF   MATCHES 

"Such  a  trite  thing  to  say,  isn't  it?"  said  she, 
leaning  back  on  a  small  sofa. 

"  So  many  people  tell  you  so,  then  ? "  with  a 
smile. 

"  Not  at  all,"  said  she  quickly.  "  But  it  is  so 
foolish  to  talk  to  me  like  that." 

"  Then  let  us  talk  of  Freddie." 

"Why  of  him?" 

"  Because  I  know  you  like  him,  and  have  known 
him  a  long  time ;  and  because  I  have  known  him  a 
a  long  time  and  like  him,  too.  He  is  a  good  mortal 
and  will  soon  be  better  yet." 

"  He  has  a  good  friend,  anyway.  Did  he  tell 
you  to  talk  to  me  of  him  ?  " 

"  Not  in  the  least,"  said  Darley  firmly. 

"  He  said  he  did,"  and  an  innocent  manner 
scarcely  concealed  a  gleam  of  humour. 

"The  fool!  The  ass!  The  idiot!"  muttered 
Richard.  "  I  imagine  this  must  be  the  case  where 
the  boy  lied." 

"Which  boy?" 

"  I  am  a  decrepit  old  man,  Miss  Talbot." 

"Your  exterior  is  beautifully  preserved,  then,"1 
said  she,  looking  gravely  at  him. 
299 


rA  BOX  OF  MATCHES 

"Would  it  be  discourteous  of  me  to  ask  if  you 
are  a  flirt,  Miss  Talbot?  " 

"Would  it  be  profanity  for  me  to  reply  'God 
forbid,' Mr.  Darley?" 

Then  for  some  reason  they  both  laughed.  And 
she  suddenly  leaned  forward  and  asked  him: 

"  Do  you,  sir,  in  your  literary  career " 

"  Newspaper  career,"  he  put  in  parenthetically. 

"Ever  read  poetry?" 

"  Sometimes,"  suspiciously. 

"Ever  read  Longfellow's  Miles  Standish?" 

"Miss  Talbot,  you  are  incorrigible.  It  isn't 
fair." 

"Then  speak  for  yourself,"  she  said;  adding 
hastily,  "about  shooting."  And  for  an  instant  a 
little  flush  stood  on  her  cheek. 

He  leaned  back  in  his  chair  and  laughed  again. 

"Well, 

"  *  I  like  to  shoot  my  little  gun 

At  any  time  of  day. 
I  like  to  see  the  rabbits  run — 
Unless  they  get  away.' " 

"  Will  you  try  to  be  serious,  sir?  "  frowning  with 
300 


much  severity.  "Do  you  know  I  shot  a  deer  last 
fall  in  the  Adirondacks  ?  " 

"  No,  did  you  really  ?  What  rifle  did  you  use  ?  " 
And  he  leaned  forward  with  a  new  spark  in  his  eye 
—  a  spark  that  was  noted  the  moment  it  appeared. 

"  A  40-.30.    And  it  was  perfectly  dear ! " 

"A  little  heavy  for  you,  I  should  say.  Better 
make  it  a  30-. 30  half  magazine.  You  can  do 
a  good  deal  better  with  that.  I  had  a  chance 

once He  stopped  suddenly,  for  in  the  face 

near  his  he  caught  the  trace  of  a  smile — "  er — 
shall  we  dance?" 

"  Please,  please ! "  she  pleaded,  quite  serious  now. 
"  Is  that  fair  to  a  helpless  girl?  " 

And  then  they  were  off  in  a  discussion  of  the 
technical  questions  of  rifles,  all  of  which,  to  his 
intense  amazement  and  delight,  she  understood. 
And  he  sat  more  and  more  on  the  edge  of  his  chair 
and  she  leaned  forward  with  her  white  gloved  elbows 
on  her  white  silk  knees.  Looking  up  suddenly  for 
some  corroboration  or  denial,  she  discovered  his 
face  lit  up  with  something  that  had  not  been  there 
a  moment  before,  and  she  said  abruptly: 

"  Do  you  know  you  are  exactly  like  your  sister?" 
301 


A  BOX  OF  MATCHES 

"My  sister!" 

"Yes,  your  sister  Ethel." 

"Ethel?"  he    said    again    in    the  same  dazed 

tone. 

"  Yes,  Ethel.    That's  my  name,  too,  you  know." 
"You   don't   mean   to   tell   me   you're   Ethel's 

Ethel?" 

"  Oh,  no !    I'm  Priscilla  What's-her-name." 
"Why,  but  Ethel's  been  telling  me  about  you 

for  the  last  four  hundred  years ! " 

"  Not  quite  so  long  as  that."    And  she  laughed 

gaily  at  his  embarrassment. 

"  But  then  you  can't  be  over  nineteen  ! " 

"  It  was  you  who  said  I  was  four  hundred." 

Then  he  stood  over  her  a  moment  in  undisguised 

amazement,  until  she  reached  up  her  hand  and  said 

demurely : 

"Won't  you  shake  hands  with  an  old  friend?" 
He  took  it  —  took  it  all  —  grasped  it  and  held  it 

thus  until  the  embarrassment  appeared  on  her  face, 

when  the  hand  was   suddenly  drawn  away   as   a 

cheery  voice  behind  them  said: 

"Well,  children,  how  goes  it?    Pushing  a  good 

thing  along?" 

302 


A   BOX   OF    MATCHES 

Without  hesitation  the  little  lady  said: 

"  We  were  just  shaking  hands  and  saying  good- 
night, for  I  see  mamma  coming  with  a  'go home* 
look  on  her  face." 

And  as  Freddie  and  his  friend  walked  away  Dar- 
ley  could  only  mutter  to  himself :  *'  Yes,  Freddie, 
pushing  a  good  thing  along." 

"  Jim,"  said  his  wife  as  the  dance  was  over  and 
they  began  to  think  of  getting  home,  "this  dance 
has  been  a  success." 

"  Then  it  was  worth  the  somewhat  extensive  out- 
lay?" 

"  Absolutely." 

"  What's  on  your  mind,  Lu  ?  Get  it  out  or  you'll 
burst." 

"  I  think  I've  got  Ethel  Talbot  married ! " 

"  What !  Freddie  Beaumont  after  all?  I  thought 
you  disapproved " 

"  You're  so  stupid,  dear.  I've  told  you  a  dozen 
times  Freddie  was  no  man  for  her." 

"  So  you've  broken  up  that  prospective  happy 
home  ?  Poor  Freddie ! " 

"  You  wait  and  watch ! " 

"  Certainly.  I'll  do  nothing  else,"  sarcastically. 
303 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

. "  I  wish  you'd  take  a  little  more  interest  in 
my " 

"  I  wish  you'd  take  a  little  less.  Why  don't  you 
let  'em  get  married  themselves  ?  " 

"  Didn't  I  do  pretty  well  for  you,  sir  ?  " 

"My  life  is  one  long  struggle  to  marry  the 
world " 

"Jim!" 

"Well?" 

"You  will  apologise  this  minute,  and  then  kiss 
me." 

He  looked  at  the  pretty  head  beside  him  a 
moment. 

"  I  apologise." 

"And "  with  a  bright  face  turned  up  to 

him.  After  all  she  hadn't  done  so  badly  for  him. 

"Now  come  home,  matchmaker,  and  sleep  off 
your  mania." 

"  Mania ! "  exclaimed  the  lady.  "  Far  better  than 
horses,  anyway,  and  —  bridge,  too." 


304 


XXXVI 


TEN  days  later,  while  he  was  fixing  his  third  cup 
of  coffee,  Darley  glanced  at  two  or  three  letters 
lying  by  his  toast.  The  first  was  a  bill  for  an 
expensive  pair  of  shoes  with  "Please  remit"  writ- 
ten beneath  it.  He  tore  it  up,  muttering  that  the 
poor  he  had  with  him  always.  The  next  was  a 
notification  of  a  meeting  of  a  committee.  He  tore 
that  up.  The  third  was  an  invitation  to  dine  with 
Mrs.  Talbot,  and  it  said,  "  I  want  to  have  the  pleas- 
ure of  meeting  you,  too." 

"  Too! "  said  Richard,  addressing  the  coffee 
machine.  "  Such  a  little  word.  I  wonder  if  it  was 
a  pleasure.  I  will  go  and  see." 

And  a  few  evenings  later  he  walked  into  the 
Talbots'  drawing-room. 

"  I'm  so  glad  you  could  come,"  said  Miss  Talbot. 

"  Could  I  refuse  when  mamma  said  '  Too '  ?  " 

"Two?    Two  what?" 

He  handed  her  the  invitation. 

"  I  never  said  any  such  thing,"  said  she. 
305 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"  Ah,M  he  said  to  himself.  "Then  she  did,  after 
all." 

"  We  are  delighted  to  have  you  here,"  exclaimed 
Mrs.  Talbot,  shaking  him  languidly  by  the  hand. 
"Ethel  told  us  so  much  about  you  that  we  really 
had  to  see  for  ourselves." 

He  looked  at  her,  but  she  did  not  waver ;  "  I  only 
said  you  were  a  cynic." 

"Aha!"  he  laughed.  "Splendid!  It's  my  one 
ambition  —  to  be  a  cynic!  Do  you  like  cynics, 
Mrs.  Talbot?" 

"Why,  really,  Mr.  Darley,  not  as  a  rule,  you 
know.  Don't  they  say  rude  things  and  dress 
badly?" 

He  looked  down  at  his  clothes :  "  They  are  the 
best  I  have." 

"Oh,  really  I  —  I  meant  nothing  personal." 
added  the  lady  a  little  nervously.  "  There's  noth- 
ing the  matter  with  your  clothes." 

"  I'll  try  not  to  be  rude,"  he  said  plaintively. 

"  Oh,  but  you  mustn't  take  it  as  —  ah,  dinner  is 
ready!  Will  you  take  in  Ethel,  Mr.  Darley?" 

"Are  you  really  a  cynic?"  asked  Ethel  as  they 
took  their  places  at  table. 
306 


A   BOX   OF    MATCHES 

"Of  course,  since  }rou  say  so." 

"  But  Freddie  says  you  are  not.  That  you 
are " 

"  Well,  what  did  Freddie  say?  " 

"  Shall  I  give  you  his  exact  words?" 

"  Of  course." 

"  That  you  are  a  dear,  good  fellow  trying  to  be 
cynical,  but  failing  miserably."  And  the  young 
woman  looked  down  at  her  oysters. 

"Freddie  lies  in  his  teeth,"  answered  Darley 
softly. 

After  a  pause :    "  Tell  me  about  the  editorials." 

"Ladyship,  shall  I  tell  you  the  story  of  my 
life?" 

"  Do  try  to  be  serious.     I  am  really  interested." 

"  Well,"  said  he  with  a  sigh,  "  there  are  three  to 
be  done  to-night." 

"  What  about  ?  "  she  asked  with  interest. 

"  The  first  as  to  whether  cynics  really  must  wear 
bad  clothes " 

"  Dear,  good  mamma,  she  meant  well,  any- 
way." 

"The  second  as  to  whether  pink  or  white  goes 
best  with  gray  eyes." 

307 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"Which  shall  you  decide?" 

"That  both  being  perfect,  the  question  is  laid 
on  the  table." 

"So  silly,"  said  she.  "And  the  third?"  as  a 
little  smile  passed  over  her  face. 

"  Ah,  the  third ! "  said  he ;  "  that  is  very  serious. 
I  cannot  tell  you  about  the  third." 

"Please!" 

"  I  don't  dare  to." 

"  I  won't  tell." 

"  Well,"  and  of  a  sudden  the  lines  about  his  j  aw 
set  a  little,  "the  third  will  be  a  discussion  as  to 
whether  a  girl  has  the  sense  and  honour  to  marry 
the  man  she  has  led  on  to  love  her." 

There  was  a  pause.  Then  gradually  a  flush 
appeared  on  her  face.  He  saw  it  grow,  and  the 
pause  became  embarrassing,  when  a  very  sweet  but 
a  very  distant  voice  said : 

"And  what  will  you  decide  to  be  the  likeli- 
hood?" 

"  I've  changed  my  mind  about  that  editorial.  I 
shall  not  write  it,"  he  answered,  looking  down  at 
his  plate. 

"Why?" 

308 


A    BOX   OF    MATCHES 

"  Because  it  isn't  fair." 

"  No,  it  isn't  fair,"  said  she.  "  And  now  I  must 
talk  to  the  man  on  the  other  side." 

"Please  don't  go!" 

"  It  is  rude  not  to." 

"  Is  that  a  lesson  for  me  ?  " 

"Does  the  shoe  fit?  There  is  a  very  marriage- 
able, attractive  girl  on  your  right." 

"  If  you  do  not  come  back  soon  I  shall  be  mar- 
ried," said  he  with  plaintive  emphasis. 

Darley  turned  to  the  marriageable  heiress  and 
became  at  once  strangely  fascinated  by  a  tiny  mole 
on  the  side  of  her  nose  which  moved  up  and  down 
every  time  she  laughed.  He  tried  not  to  look  at 
it,  and  yet  it  was  impossible  not  to  say  things  that 
might  draw  a  smile.  Meantime  he  heard  little  or 
nothing,  but  felt  himself  growing  lightheaded  and 
more  or  less  inclined  to  think  that  this  was  a  great 
world  and  life  worth  living,  after  all. 

In  the  midst  of  this  a  conciliatory  roice  said 
sweetly : 

"I  received  a  30-.30  the  other  day  and  don't 
know  who  sent  it." 

"Did  you  really?     How  did  it  suit?" 
309 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"  It  is  better  than  the  heavy  one.  I  tried  it  in  a 
gallery  to-day." 

"  Cleave  unto  it  until  death  do  you  part.  It  is 
the  best  for  you." 

"You  must  come  and  see  it  some  time." 

"May  I  soon?" 

"Will  you?" 

"  And  is  my  —  my  editorial  forgiven  ?  " 

"There  is  nothing  to  forgive,"  said  she,  rising 
with  the  others,  "only  —  only  —  no,  there's  noth- 
ing to  forgive." 

An  hour  and  a  half  later  Darley  was  standing  at 
the  window  of  his  club  gazing  down  on  Fifth 
avenue,  with  his  hands  thrust  into  his  pockets. 
There  was  no  avenue  with  reflecting  rain  mirrors 
on  the  asphalt,  nor  yet  any  bright-eyed  cabs  hurry- 
ing by,  only  two  large  gray  eyes  close  to  the  win- 
dow-pane, and  Richard  had  the  feeling  that  he 
must  step  through  the  glass  and  into  the  eyes, 
which  were  private  rooms  containing  many  jewels. 
He  was  murmuring  to  himself :  "  I  wonder  how 
long  it  will  be  before  he  discovers  the  burglar," 
when  Beaumont's  voice  hailed  him  from  behind. 

"I  was  wondering,"  said  Darley  in  reply, 
310 


'A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"  where  Fifth  avenue  and  the  cabs  and  the  rain  had 
gone." 

"What?  Oh,  chuck  it!  Let  me  tell  you.  Fve 
got  a  chance  to  be  assistant  bond  clerk.  Uncle 
William's  a  brick." 

"  I  dined  at  Mrs.  Talbot's  to-night,"  said  Darley. 

Freddie  sat  up  quickly. 

"  Did  you?  "  said  he.     "  How  is  she?  " 

"  Very  nice,  I  think ;  a  little  gray  and  a 
little  nervous,  but  then  the  mother  of  four 


grown 

"  Thunder,  Dick,  I  don't  mean  mamma." 

"Oh,  you  mean  Miss  Talbot?" 

"Did  you  suppose  I  meant  the  maid?     How  did 
she  seem?" 

"  Pretty  well.     Nice  girl." 

"Oh,   stuff,  man.      Did  she  —  did  you  —  er — • 
talk  about  me  at  all  ?  " 

"  Yes,  sir,  we  considered  your  marked  ability  as 
a  Wall  street  financier." 

"  Did  she  like  it  ?  "  asked  Freddie  eagerly. 

"  She  did  not  condemn  it.     You'd  better  go  and 
see  her  and  tell  her  about  it.    And,  by  the  way,  tell 
her  to  change  the  combination  on  the  safe." 
3H 


A  BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"The  combination  on  the  what?"  asked  the 
other.  "Ah,  Major!" 

"Good-evening,  young  men.  I'm  just  in  time. 
I  know  you'll  try  just  a  taste  in  my  honour  —  my 
birthday,  you  know." 

Beaumont  stood  a  moment  undecided  and  then 
left  the  other  two  alone.  As  they  sat  together  in 
the  corner  of  the  room,  a  moment  later,  Darley 
said. 

"Major,  why  did  you  never  marry?" 

The  old  gentleman  took  his  cigar  from  his  mouth 
and  turned  abruptly  to  his  questioner. 

"  Gad,  sir,  marry !    Why  in  the  deuce  should  I  ?  " 

"  Oh,  family  ties,  you  know ;  little  tots  doing  the 
cluster  act  about  that  gouty  knee  of  yours  —  duty 
to  humanity  —  sweet  comforts  in  your  old  age,  and 
such  other  elemental  notes  of  the  unit  of 
civilisation." 

"  Unit  be  damned,  sir !  I  don't  want  any  of  your 
snivelling  tots  knocking  around  my  knee.  Nor  any 
women  and  folderols  to  pay  for.  No,  sir,  nor  any 
one  woman.  Look  at  me  now !  Happy  as  a  clam. 
No  worries.  Anybody  I  want  to  wait  on  me,  and  a 
few  friends  with  your  elements  of  civilisation  all 
312 


A   BOX   OF    MATCHES 

laid  out  and  glad  to  show  me  any  time  I  take  it  into 
my  head  to  try  them.  Here  I  go  on  Sunday  after- 
noons to  Albert  Talbot's,  and  I  get  more  of  the 
elements  than  I  can  digest  all  the  week.  No,  sir," 
as  he  twisted  his  side-whiskers  forward  and 
replaced  the  cigar  with  a  certain  finality  between 
his  lips  —  "  no,  sir !  God  forbid  that  I  should  have 
been  such  a  fool!  I'm  as  happy  as  a  kid  with  a 
new  toy  now." 

"  Well,  Major,  here's  to  you !  I'll  go  to  bed  and 
dream  of  the  joys  of  bachelorhood  —  if  I  can  get 
rid  of  other  dreams,"  he  added  to  himself. 


313 


'*!  DON'T  suppose  you  would  have  come  if  I 
hadn't  written  you." 

"I  was  afraid,"  said  Richard,  watching  her  as 
she  sat  hi  some  soft  lacy  gown  with  the  late  after- 
noon sunlight  behind  her,  "I  said  so  many  rude 
things  the  other  night." 

**  Did  you  ?  I  took  them  to  be  the  proper  sayings 
of  a  masquerading  cynic.  Here's  my  first  child." 
And  she  held  up  the  rifle. 

"May  you  be  blessed  with  many  of  them," 
said  he. 

"  One  is  quite  enough.  I  don't  go  into  the  woods 
often  enough  for  more." 

"  Two  at  least  are  necessary  to  furnish  compan- 
ionship," and  he  handed  the  rifle  back  to  her.  She 
laid  it  across  her  knees  and  looked  at  him. 

"You  are  speaking  of  guns?" 

''  You  spoke  of  children,"  he  answered. 


A   BOX   OF    MATCHES 

A  quick  tinge  of  colour  came  into  her  face  and 
grew  as  she  spoke  on. 

"Yes,  I  think  children  are  dear;  don't  you?" 

"Yes." 

"Even  to  cynics?" 

"All  the  more  so,  because  they  understand  us 
better  than  grown  people." 

She  leaned  forward  a  little  and  said:     "Why 
have  you  never  married?" 

"Takes  two." 

"  And "  she  asked,  turning  the  gun  over. 

"  Number  two  not  in  at  the  roll-call." 

"  Masquerading  ?  " 

"  No,  sincere  for  once." 

"Is  there  —  is  there  anyone  who  —  who  ought 
to  be  in  at  the  roll-call  ?  " 

He  looked  at  her  earnestly. 

"  Yes,  Miss  Talbot." 

A  shade  went  over  her  face. 

"  Tell  me  about  her." 

"  I  can't.     She  belongs  to  another." 

"Oh,  dear!    Is  she  married?" 

"  No."    And  again  he  resolved  to  tell  Freddie  to 
get  a  new  combination  on  the  safe. 
315 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

Ethel's  face  turned  to  the  rifle  and  one  white 
hand  moved  back  and  forth  over  the  polished  barrel. 

"Engaged?" 

"  No-o." 

The  white  hand  stopped. 

"Why  bound,  then?" 

"Because  the  right  man  has  her — her 
affections." 

"  How  do  you  know?  " 

"Don't  cynics  have  any  sense  of  the  fitness  of 
things?" 

"  Not  always." 

"  Shouldn't  they  be  respectable  members  of 
society  and  know  what  is  true  and  right  and  try  to 
act  up  to  it?" 

"Might  not  she  have  something  to  say  in  the 
matter?"  said  she. 

He  did  not  know.  He  began  to  lose  confidence 
in  himself  and  decided  it  was  wiser  to  leave. 

When  he  was  gone  Ethel  sat  down  upon  the  floor 
with  the  gun  across  her  knees  and  —  cried. 


316 


XXXVIII 


IT  was  getting  on  toward  spring  one  night  when 
Darley  sat  in  his  rooms.  Richard  found  it  dimcult 
to  keep  up  this  playing  with  fire.  He  sat  now 
evolving  a  plan  for  stopping  the  business,  when 
Beaumont  came  in. 

"What's  up,  Freddie?"  asked  the  host. 

"  Everything's  down,"  answered  the  other,  sink- 
ing into  a  chair.  "  Dick,  you're  the  only  one  I  can 
talk  to." 

"Well?" 

"  Something's  up.  I  saw  Ethel  last  night,  gave 
out  much  business  news  —  and  something's  got  in 
between.  I  can  see  it  with  one  eye  closed  and  the 
other  shut." 

"Well?" 

"  I'm  in  a  fearful  funk !    What's  the  matter,  do 
you  suppose?     Have  I  lost  a  place  just  as  I  was 
getting  up  to  the  tape?  " 
317 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"Why,  you  idiot,  don't  you  see  she's  only  sur- 
prised at  your  being  able  to  'reach  up '  ?  " 

"  But  I  mustn't  lose." 

"No,  Freddie,  you  mustn't  lose.  Show  your 
nerve.  Go  and  see  her  —  take  her  by  masculine 
force." 

Beaumont  thought  a  moment  and  then,  slapping 
his  knee,  said : 

"  I'll  do  it.     I'll  go  right  now." 

"  No,  no,  don't  go  now,"  said  the  other  in  some 
trepidation.  "  Wait  till  nine  o'clock,  when  they  will 
be  through  dinner." 

"  All  right,"  answered  the  other,  "  but  it's  a  long 
time  to  wait  —  two  hours." 

"Oh,  that's  nothing  in  a  lifetime.  And  so  you 
won't  go  till  after  nine,  sure  ?  "  And  Freddie  dis- 
appeared with  the  promise  given. 

He  had  no  sooner  left  the  room  than  Darley  went 
to  his  writing-desk  and  wrote  her : 

"  I  have  been  playing  a  mean  part.  My  only  excuse  is 
that  I  did  not  see  the  meanness  until  the  last  day  or  two. 
I  don't  know  how  to  write  it,  and  I  am  having  a  hard  time 
thinking  how  to  make  it  clear  without  seeming  to  you  a 
conceited  ass.  Perhaps  the  only  way  is  the  direct  way. 
So  here  goes:  To-night  after  you  receive  this  there  comes 

318 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

to  you  a  young  man  —  a  fine  fellow.  He  is  the  right  one ! 
Talk  to  him  and  hear  what  is  in  his  heart.  There  is  no 
other  man  to  compare  with  him.  Don't  for  a  moment 
think  there  is!  Is  that  impudent  —  none  of  my  business? 
I  do  not  mean  it  so.  Only  I'm  very  sorry  for  it  all  —  for 
my  part  in  it,  and  —  I'm  very  sad  —  in  fact  I  should  like 
to  stretch  my  thirty-year-old-six-foot  hulk  on  the  floor 
and  cry. 
"  Good-bye,  sweet  lady  —  good-bye ! " 

"Peter,"  said  Richard  to  the  boy  who  answered 
his  ring,  "take  this  note  to  that  address  at  once 
and  then  come  back  here  and  show  me  a  receipt." 


319 


XXXIX 


IT  was  a  miserable  situation  for  a  cynic.  That 
was  quite  evident.  But  then,  he  had  given  up  other 
things  in  this  world  because  they  were  not  for  him, 
and  he  could  give  this  up,  too.  It  was  only  neces- 
sary to  use  a  little  philosophy  and  get  interested 
in  something  else.  And  thus  by  nightfall  of  the 
next  day  he  was  sitting  in  the  main  room  of  the 
Naugatuck  Club,  and  in  the  morning  he  was  out 
on  the  lake  with  Captain  Barkus  watching  for 
ducks.  But  the  first  bird  he  killed  had  gray  eyes. 
and  he  stroked  its  feathers  and  apologised  to  it  and 
said  he  would  marry  it  —  and  then  he  threw  it  into 
one  corner  and  swore  softly  to  himself. 

"You  hain't  got  yer  eye  with  yer  to-day,  have 
ye?"  remarked  the  Captain. 

"  Yes,  but  it's  gray." 

"Eh?"  queried  the  Captain. 

"Gray,    man!      Haven't    you    ever    seen    gray 
eyes  ?  " 

320 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"Aye,  but  what's  them  to  do  with  duels 
shooting?  " 

"Oh,  I'm  going  home,"  said  Darley.  And  he 
strode  off  through  the  woods,  leaving  the  Captain 
to  drive  back  alone  in  some  wonder  as  to  what  his 
young  friend  had  imbibed.  As  he  went  along,  if 
he  failed  to  read  sermons  in  the  stones,  he  had  no 
difficulty  in  reading  love  stories  here  and  there 
along  the  way.  He  wondered  how  the  letter  had 
been  received.  He  wondered  if  she  thought  him 
an  ass,  if  she  laughed  at  him.  And  then  he  became 
aware  of  the  fact  that  she  was  coming  toward  him 
in  the  narrow  path.  At  first  he  thought  it  was  his 
absurd  imagination  that  had  run  riot,  and  then  in 
an  instant  he  knew  that  she  must  see  him  and  that 
he  could  not  escape. 

She  looked  up  and  stopped  short. 

"  What  do  you  mean  by  coming  here ! "  said  the 
young  lady. 

"  I  didn't  mean  to,"  said  he  aimlessly. 

"  I  came  here  to  be  alone,"  said  she  as  they  still 
stood  watching  one  another. 

"So  did  I,"  answered  he.     "Excuse  me"  —  and 
he  made  as  if  to  turn  about. 
321 


"You  knew  I  would  be  here,"  said  she 
suspiciously. 

"I  did  not  really  even  suspect  that  you  could 
come  here.  If  I  had  I  should  not  have  come." 

"  Oh,  what  a  thing  to  say ! "  cried  she. 

"That  is,  I  wanted  to  avoid  you  —  I  mean,  I 
knew  you  did  not  want  to  see  me." 

No  answer. 

"  Excuse  me."  And  he  stepped  aside.  She  hur- 
ried by.  Then  she  stopped  suddenly,  and  without 
turning  her  head  she  said : 

"  Were  you  going  back  to  the  clubhouse  ?  " 

"Why,  no " 

"  Because  if  you  were  I  should  like  —  I  think  I 
have  somehow  lost  the  path " 

"  Certainly,"  said  he,  coming  close  to  her ; 
"I  was  just  thinking  of  getting  back  to  break- 
fast." 

They  turned  toward  the  house  and  walked  silently 
along  the  little  path  in  the  morning  light.  Not  a 
word  did  either  say. 

Up  the  steps  they  marched  and  into  the  house. 
There  stood  Albert  Talbot. 

"Ah,  here  you  are,  Ethel  —  How-do,  Darley? 
322 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

Where's  Fred  Beaumont,  Ethel?  I  thought  he'd 
be  here  by  the  late  train  last  night." 

"  I  don't  think  he  will  come,  father.  He  went  to 
Aiken  last  night."  And  Miss  Ethel  gazed  innocently 
at  the  rug. 

"  Aiken  last  night !  Good  Heavens,  what  a 
man!"  said  the  father.  "He  said  yesterday  that 
he'd  follow  us  up  here ! " 

At  breakfast  little  was  said.  Darley  sat  by  Miss 
Talbot,  and  when  the  meal  was  nearly  over  he  said : 

"Shall  I  go  away?" 

And  she  answered: 

"How  can  I  tell?" 

"Did  you  bring  your  30-.30?" 

"No.     What  good  would  a  rifle  be  here?" 

"  Did  you  ever  try  a  shotgun  ?  " 

"  No." 

"Would  you  —  would  you  care  to  try  at  ducks 
this  afternoon  ?  " 

"  Were  you  going  ?  " 

"Yes." 

"I  shouldn't  inconvenience  you?" 

"  No,  you  wouldn't  inconvenience  me." 

"  Then  I'll  go.    What  time? " 

323 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"  About  three  o'clock." 

As  they  sat  in  the  shooting  stand  by  the  little 
lake,  late  that  afternoon,  there  came  Barkus'  signal 
of  warning  over  the  water. 

Darley  said: 

"  So  Freddie  didn't  come  yesterday  ?  " 

"No,"  said  she,  looking  out  on  the  bay  through 
one  of  the  holes  in  the  wall  of  the  stand. 

"Has  he  gone  to  Aiken  in  search  of  —  any- 
thing?" 

"Not  forme." 

"Are  you  all  alone  in  the  world?" 

"  Oh,  no.     I  have  father." 

"  Are  you  cold  ?  " 

"  No." 

Alarming  signals  of  warning  from  Barkus 
across  the  bay. 

"Are  your  hands  cold?" 

"No." 

"Let  me  see." 

She  raised  the  nearer  one,  looked  at  it  a  moment 
and  slowly  drew  off  the  thick  glove.  And  her  lady- 
ship seemed  intent  on  the  bay. 

"  It's  very  cold,"  said  he  at  last. 
324 


A1  BOX  OF   MATCHES 

No  answer. 

Then  he  carried  the  hand  slowly  to  his  lips. 

There  came  the  sound  of  an  oar  outside  the  stand. 

"What  in  tarnation  be  you  doin',  Mr.  Darley? 
Hain't  you  seen  them  ducks  ?  " 

Darley  got  up  suddenly. 

"  What  ?    Where  ?  What's  that,  Barkus  ?  " 

"  Why,  them  fifteen  birds  what  come  nigh  on  to 
knocking  the  stand  down." 

"  Strange  I  didn't  see  them,  Barkus,"  said  Dar- 
ley. "  But  Miss  Talbot  finds  it  too  cold  here.  We'll 
have  to  give  it  up  and  walk  back  through  the 
woods." 

And  they  two  left  the  stand  —  left  Barkus 
grumbling  at  such  blindness  —  and  started  along 
the  little  woodland  path,  just  as  the  red  setting 
sun  looked  over  the  hills  and  trickled  down  through 
the  trees  upon  them  —  these  two,  walking  in  the 
cold,  clear  evening,  hand  in  hand,  silently. 


325 


XL 


MRS.  ETHEL  TALBOT  BARLEY  always 
maintains  that  the  Major  made  her  match,  be- 
cause of  his  awful  advice  to  her  Richard,  in  spite 
of  the  fact  that  Braveur  claimed  the  honour  for 
his  wife  —  claimed  another  match  which  struck 
fire,  as  he  expressed  it.  But  when  the  Major  at 
last  tried  the  game  himself  he  made  a  dismal  fail- 
ure. And  that  came  the  very  next  spring. 

May  never  turned  out  a  more  beautiful  morn- 
ing than  that  particular  one  which  made  all  the 
trouble.  Everything  was  growing.  Little  plants 
were  sticking  up  green  shoots  through  the  earth. 
The  blossoms  had  just  begun  to  appear  in  round, 
pink  bulbs  almost  ready  to  burst.  Little  Lucy's 
cat  had  a  most  wonderful  family  of  four  black, 
yellow,  and  white  kittens  up  in  the  closet  on 
the  third  story  that  the  stork  had  been  kind  enough 
to  leave  there  the  night  before.  Out  in  the  barn 
Biddy,  the  wire-haired  Irish  terrier,  was  busy  over 
326 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

seven  children  not  four  days  old.  In  the  dining- 
room  Jim  Braveur  had  just  helped  himself  and 
Lucy  and  Dick  and  Mabel  to  fruit,  and  the  sun 
came  in  through  the  open  windows  on  the  yellow 
heads  of  the  children  eating  as  fast  as  they  could 
stuff  food  into  their  mouths — when  the  door  opened 
and  mother  came  in  in  a  loose  morning  gown  cov- 
ered with  little  pink  rosebuds,  and  hurried  to  her 
place  by  the  coffee  machine. 

Everything  was  young  and  nice  and  May-like. 
The  whole  world  seemed  to  be  hopeful  and  blossom- 
ing and  increasing,  just  as  the  good  God  means 
it  to  be. 

But  troubles  always  come  at  such  a  time  — 
terrible  calamities  that  have  to  be  overcome,  or 
gotten  round,  or  undermined.  That  is  the  work 
of  people  of  brains  and  wit. 

"Mudder,"  cried  Lucy  before  that  important 
lady  had  fairly  seated  herself. 

"  Yes,  dear,"  said  Mrs.  Braveur,  struggling  with 
the  coffee  machine. 

"Mudder,  can't  I  —  can't  I  have  —  I  want  — 
Dicky  says " 

"  Good  gracious,  Lucy,  what  is  the  matter?  Why 
327 


A  BOX  OF  MATCHES 

don't  you  wait  till  there's  nothing  in  your  mouth 
and  then  get  the  words  out  properly?  Sit  up 
straight,  dear " 

"But,  mudder,  can't  I  have  a  piece  of  candy, 
after  breakfast  ?  " 

"  No,  dear."    And  she  began  opening  her  mail. 

"Dicky  has." 

"  Dicky  hasn't.    If  he  has,  he  can't  have  any  ice 

cream  for Jim!  what  do  you  suppose  — " 

and  she  read  on  breathlessly  in  the  letter  she  had 
opened. 

"I've  given  up  supposing.  Have  you  done  the 
match-making  act  again?" 

"Match-making!  Imagine  my  making  this 
match!  Listen:  'Dear  Lucy:  I  have  some 
news '" 

"Who  is  it?" 

"The  Major,"  and  she  read  on.  Then:  "Good- 
ness me !  To  think  of  it ! " 

"Impossible!  Who's  dead?"  exclaimed  her 
husband. 

"If  you  will  listen,  dear " 

"  Consider  that  I'm  listening."    And  he  went  on 
with  his  usual  enormous  breakfast. 
328 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"Why,  the  Major  says  he's  engaged  to  be 
married ! " 

"Good  Lord,  he's  nine  thousand  years  old," 
laughed  Braveur. 

"He's  certainly  sixty-eight,  if  he  isn't  seventy} 
and  —  wait  —  he  says: 

" '  I  am  quite  aware  of  the  fact  that  everyone  will  laugL 
at  me,  but  I  know  you  will  not,  and  so  I  tell  you  first.  I 
am  going  to  marry  a  young  girl  about  twenty  years  old 
whose  name  is  Edith  Wells.  She  is  of  good  family,  but 
is  an  orphan  and  without  a  large  supply  of  funds.' " 

Mrs.  Braveur  paused  and  gazed  at  the  amused 

face  opposite. 

"And  what  do  you  suppose  he  says  next?" 

"  I  give  it  up.     Children,  probably." 

"  Jim,    please    remember    that    your    own    are 

present ! " 

"I  am  constantly  reminded  of  it.     Dick,  that's 

my  leg  you're  kicking,  not  the  table's." 

"  He  wants  us  to  ask  her  here,  right  away  —  and 

with  him.    What  shall  I  do? " 

"Ask  her,  I  guess.     What  else?" 

"  But  suppose  she  isn't  —  isn't  presentable, 

know." 

329 


A  BOX  OF   MATCHES 

"Then  we  can  send  her  back  to  the  orphan 
asylum." 

"  He  wants  to  come  this  Sunday." 

"  Then  she'll  have  to  be  here  this  Sunday,  too,  I 
suppose.  Who  else  is  coming?" 

"  The  Mortons,  and  Dicky  Barnes  was  com- 
ing down  to  try  those  ponies,  and  that's  all,  I 
think." 

"Oh,  well,  they're  all  harmless.  We'll  give  the 
twenty-year-old  a  blow-out." 

"Think  of  marrying  that  old  Union  Club 
bachelor ! " 

"  But  you  haven't  got  to  marry  him." 

"  I  know,  but  I'm  sorry  for  the  girl  already.  I 
wonder  why  she  did  it." 

And  so  the  letters  were  written,  and  Friday 
night's  train  brought  the  company  together. 

It  was  only  an  instant  after  the  fair  girl  with 
her  big  hat  entered  the  Braveur  hall  —  only  an 
instant  and  one  anxious  look  —  when  Mrs.  Braveur 
put  her  arms  around  her  neck  and  kissed  her  with 
a  combination  of  immediate  friendliness  and 
gracious  hospitality. 

"  I'm  so  glad  to  see  you,  dear,"  said  she.  "  To 
330 


think  of  that  great  man  marrying!  It's 
astonishing ! " 

"Never  mind,  child,"  laughed  the  Major.  "I 
may  have  waited  a  long  time  for  the  right  woman, 
but  I've  found  her,"  and  he  patted  her  cheek  in  his 
genial  fashion. 

"You  remember  Mrs.  Morton,  Major,"  said 
Lucy,  as  the  two  Mortons  rose  from  behind  the  tea 
table  to  greet  him.  Then  she  turned  to  present 
Miss  Wells,  and  caught  the  end  of  a  long  look  out 
upon  the  lawn  that  made  the  girl's  eyes  beautiful 
and  deep.  Instinctively  she  glanced  that  way  to 
see  what  had  held  the  other's  glances  —  and  found 
nothing.  And  then  the  introduction  was  just  over 
when  the  door  opened  and  Dicky  Barnes  came  in. 

"  Look  here,  Lucy,"  cried  he.  "  Look  at  this  for 
an  Irish  terrier  pup.  He's  mine.  I've  picked  him 
out  —  I  beg  your  pardon!  How  de  do,  Major. 

Glad  to  see  you  on  our  farm.     I "     Then  he 

met  the  girl's  eyes  and  stopped  suddenly.  For  an 
instant  the  two  looked  at  one  another.  Then  they 
shook  hands. 

"  Do  you  like  pups,  Miss  Wells  ? "  with  what 
seemed  most  unnecessary  seriousness. 
331 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"When  I  can't  find  anything  better,"  and  she 
•smiled  with  a  quaint  humour  at  his  solemnity. 

"There's  nothing  better  here,  you  can  bank 
on  that." 

"  Dicky !     How  unchivalrous ! "  said  Lucy. 

"I  don't  mean  you  —  nor  does  Miss  Wells. 
There's  only  the  Major,  who's  a  million,  and  Peter 
who's  married,  and  Jim,  who  —  who  isn't  worth 
liking " 

"  Dick,  don't  you  talk  so  about  my  hus- 
band." 

"  Well,  he's  my  cousin,  isn't  he?  I  can  run  down 
my  own  family,  I  suppose." 

"How  about  yourself?"  asked  Mrs.  Morton. 

"Oh,  well,"  said  Richard  with  becoming  embar- 
rassment, "  of  course,  myself,  you  know !  Now  Miss 
Wells  might  —  but  I  couldn't  be  forced  to  say 
what  she  might  think  of  me,  even  if  — 

"  Even  if  you  knew  ?  "  asked  the  young  lady  with 
raised  eyebrows. 

"Even  if  it  was  uncomplimentary.  But  about 
these  pups " 

"  I  love  them,  anyway." 

"Then   throw   away   that   dishwater   and   cold 
332 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

toast,  and  come  out  and  see  the  finest  family  of 
children  you  ever  saw." 

She  hesitated  for  an  instant,  and  then  went  out 
towards  the  stables  with  him.  Mrs.  Braveur  looked 
at  her  Jim  with  the  fleetest  of  glances,  and  saw 
him  watching  the  Major. 

"  I'm  mighty  glad  you  came  down  when  you 
did,"  said  Richard  with  evident  sincerity. 

"  But  you  haven't  the  slightest  idea  who  I 
am." 

"  Oh,  yes  I  have.    You're  Miss  Wells." 

"That  isn't  much." 

"And  then  you've  —  you've  got  an  extremely 
becoming  hat  —  and " 

"  Yes,  but  I  mean  — 

"  And  I'm  inclined  to  think  any  blessed  thing  in 
hats  or  clothes  would  be  beautiful  when  you " 

"Are  you  a  flirt,  Mr.  Barnes?" 

"Do  I  look  it?" 

"  You  look  too  nice  to  be  one,  but " 

"  Then  I  deny  the  allegation." 

"  But  I  think  your  looks  are  —  are " 

"Liars?" 

"Well,  that  is  rather " 

333 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"Do  you  like  riding  ponies  —  polo  ponies,  I 
mean?" 

"  I  like  anything  that  I  can  ride." 

"Don't  you  want  to  get  on  one  to-morrow  and 
take  a  run  across  the  fields  ?  " 

"  I'd  love  to,"  cried  the  girl  impulsively. 

"Very  early?" 

"As  early  as  you  please." 

"I'm  serious." 

"Do  I  look  funny?" 

"You  look  —  you  —  gee!  I  wouldn't  dare  to 
tell  you  how  you  look " 

"What  is  it?"  she  asked  anxiously,  putting  her 
hands  to  her  hair.  "  Is  my  hat  crooked?  " 

"  No-o,"  said  Dicky,  putting  his  head  on  one 
side  and  looking  into  her  eyes.  "  Not  exactly. 
Shall  I  tell  you  the  truth?  " 

"  Yes,  please  do.  If  anything  is  the  matter " 

"You're  so  nearly  my  ideal,  that  I  can't 

"Mr.  Barnes!" 

"Oh,  come,  don't  get  mad." 

"Then  stop  saying  silly  things." 

"  Well,  about  the  ride.    Will  you  get  up  at  six?  " 

"Why  not?" 

334 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"Prompt?" 

"  Of  course." 

"You  see  we  can  get  a  cup  of  coffee,  ride  an 
hour,  and  then  I  can  have  breakfast  and  get  in 
town  by  ten." 

"  Can't  you  stay  at  home  to-morrow  ?  " 

"  No.  I've  got  to  run  in  and  make  a  couple  of 
million.  But  I'll  be  out  by  two." 

"Why  don't  you  give  up  these  millions?" 

"  Because,  Miss  Wells,  I'm  a  pauper  —  not  a  red 
cent  —  you  know.  I've  got  to  scrap.  But  I  don't 
mind;  it's  fun." 

"  I'm  a  pauper,  too,"  said  Miss  Wells. 

"You  look  it,"  said  Dicky,  examining  her 
critically. 

"  I  am,  really." 

"Then  shall  we  be  friends?"  And  he  held  out 
his  hand  to  her  as  they  went  into  the  stable. 

"Yes." 

"Really?" 

"  Really." 

"  And  you're  not  mad  because  I  said  you  were 

;were  beautiful  ?  " 

"  No-o,  not  if  you  meant  it,"  smiling  at  him. 

335 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"  Never  fear,"  said  Dicky  seriously. 
"  Do  you  need  my  hand  any  longer  ?  " 
"  I  beg  your  pardon,"  cried  Dicky,  looking  down 
at  it,  but  still  holding  it.     "You  know,  I  thought 

it  was  the  pup " 

"  What! "      And  she     drew     her     hand     away 
suddenly. 

"I  mean  it  was  so  warm  and  —  friendly,  and 

young  —  and " 

"  Mr.  Barnes,  you  are  certainly  a  terrible  flirt ! " 
"I  don't  know  what  that  means,"  said  Dicky. 
"  But  the  ride's  on  for  6.  A.  M.,  isn't  it?  " 
"All  right." 

"  Shall  I  knock  on  your  door  ?  " 
"  Perhaps  the  maid  would  be  more  proper." 
"We'll  have  a  bully  run,"  said  he  enthusiastic- 
ally.    "  Here  they  are,"  and  he  showed  her  the  six 
pups  and  mother  Biddy  —  and  not  a  word  had  she 
said  of  the  Major! 


336 


XLI 


AT  six  the  next  morning  Dicky  took  the  situ- 
tion  by  the  horns  and  knocked  softly  on  a  certain 
door.  There  was  a  quick  response. 

"  Are  you  ready  ?  "  he  asked. 

"Yes,  I'll  be  down  in  a  minute."  And  he  had 
hardly  gotten  into  the  dining-room  when  she  fol- 
lowed —  a  little  figure  in  gray  riding  habit  and 
three-cornered  hat. 

"  Splendid  !  "  said  he,  as  they  shook  hands. 
"  You're  a  good  sportsman." 

"Ah,  but  you  see  it's  so  seldom  that  I  get  a 
ride." 

"  That's  a  pity." 

"  I  think  so,  anyway.  I  haven't  a  horse  now,"  a 
little  sadly. 

"  As  a  matter  of  fact,"  critically,  "  I'm  inclined 
to  think  you  should  alwa}Ts  dress  in  a  habit." 

"Cream   in   your   coffee?"    asked   Miss   Wells, 
bending  suddenly  over  the  machine. 
337 


&  BOX  OF  MATCHES 

"Anything  you  say." 

"How  foolish!  Don't  you  know  whether  you 
like  cream  or  not?" 

"Dishwater  'd  do  this  morning." 

"Really,  Mr.  Barnes,  you  look  as  if  you  had 
some  sense " 

"But " 

"But  for  a  man  to  talk  so  at  this  unearthly 
hour " 

"Call  it  heavenly  hour " 

"  At  this  early  hour,  sir,  is  absolutely  idiotic." 

"Let's  get  up  every  morning  at  this  time  and 
breakfast  together,  and  be  —  be  idiotic,  will  you  ?  " 

She  looked  up  from  the  machine,  flushing  a  little 
guiltily,  but  smiling,  too. 

"  Do  you  know  it  is  fun  to  talk  to  a  person  who 
is  somewhere  near  your  own  age ! " 

"  Haven't  you  any  brothers  or  sisters  ?  " 

"No,  and  no  parents,"  gently.  "But  I  lived 
for  years  with  a  dear  old  maiden  aunt,  who  brought 
me  up,  and  I  played  with  no  one,  and  now 

"Now?" 

"  Well,  now  I'm  breakfasting  with  a  silly  young 
person  like  myself." 

338 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"I  say,  it's  kind  of  fun!"  and  he  leaned  across 
the  table  confidentially. 

"Do  you  think  we'll  get  scolded?" 

"  I  don't  care." 

"Then  I  won't,  either.  Come  on,  I'm  through 
and  crazy  to  get  on  that  pony." 

And  so  in  the  glistening  morning  they  rode 
along  the  valley  with  the  soft  May  mists  clinging 
to  the  ground  as  the  sun  slowly  but  steadily  drew 
them  upwards  —  along  the  valley  and  then  up 
through  the  woodland  roads  to  the  uplands  and  the 
farms,  where  worked  now  the  farmers  harrowing 
and  planting  and  watching  the  first  signs  of  their 
crops. 

"It  is  perfectly  beautiful  —  perfectly  beautiful, 
this  dear  fresh  morning,"  cried  the  girl,  with  flushed 
cheeks  and  glistening  eyes,  as  they  rode  along.  And 
the  light-hearted  Dicky  grew  more  silent,  and 
noticed  less  and  less  of  the  morning  and  more  and 
more  of  something  else.  "  Why  don't  you  talk  ?  " 
she  asked  presently,  as  they  walked  the  ponies 
through  the  fields  and  woodland  paths. 

"I  can't,  somehow." 

"  I  thought  you  were  a  —  a  great  talker." 
339 


A    BOX   OF    MATCHES 

"  So  I  am.    I'm  always  getting  squelched  for  it." 

"Aren't  you  glad,  this  beautiful  young 
morning  ?  " 

"Glad!     Good  Heavens,  Miss  Wells,  I  —  I- 
say,  just  for  this  morning,  you  know,  and  because 
we're  both  idiots,  I'm  going  to  call  you  Edith  — 
that's  your  name,  isn't  it  ?  " 

"Well  —  I  don't  know  —  perhaps  —  for  this 
morning  —  only!  " 

"  Yes,  this  once  —  and  perhaps  you're  not  aware 
that  for  this  morning  —  this  once,  you  know  —  I 
bear  the  historic  name  of  Dicky." 

"  For  this  morning  —  only  ?  " 

"For  as  long  as  you  like " 

"  Oh,  no,"  laughed  the  girl.  "  Only  for  this  ride 
of  ours." 

"All  right.     Now  — Edith "     She  looked 

across  the  bright  fields  for  an  instant  and  the  quick 
colour  ran  across  her  face  again  —  "  Edith " 

"  Yes  ?  "  turning  towards  him. 

"'Yes,' what?" 

"E-er  — Dicky?" 

"That's  it.     Now,  as  we  know  each  other  very 

Well  —  and  grew  up  together " 

340 


A   BOX   OF    MATCHES 

"We  must  have  been  born  yesterday  then," 
laughed  the  girl. 

"  I  was  —  and  no  mistake,"  said  he  seriously. 
"Well,  as  we  have  grown  up  together,  I  will  say 
to  you  in  the  confidence  of  a  life-long  friendship, 
that  I'm  so  glad  this  beautiful  morning,  I  could 
wish  it  might  never  end." 

"So  do  I!" 

"  If  we  might  only  do  the  Browning  act,  and 
ride,  ride  together  to  the  end  of  the  chapter!" 

"  Goodness,  how  lame  we'd  be ! " 

"Would  you  get  tired?" 

"Dreadfully!" 

"Of  me?" 

"  Probably." 

"  That's  mean  —  to  Dicky,  your  life-long 
friend!" 

"  But  think  of  riding  together  for  —  for  per- 
haps fifty  years." 

"I  can't  think  of  it!"  exclaimed  the  man  sud- 
denly. "  It  makes  me  too  unhappy." 

"  That's  the  first  unkind  thing  you've  said." 

"  Do  you  want  me  to  be  more  explicit  ?  "  and  he 
leaned  towards  her  and  looked  into  her  eyes. 
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A    BOX   OF    MATCHES 

The  eyes  dropped  and  she  stroked  the  pony's 
mane. 

"You  mustn't,  really!" 

"Mustn't  what?" 

"Mustn't  —  er  —  be  too  explicit." 

"Why  not?  I  certainly  begin  to  feel  as  if  we 
had  grown  up  together." 

"  But  after  all  we  haven't.  And  you  don't  know 
me " 

"Yes,  I  do." 

"  Oh,  no,  you  don't.  Maybe  I'm  a  dreadful  per- 
son, and  have  a  terrible  past."  She  tried  to  be  gay 
still,  but  in  spite  of  the  May  morning  and  all  the 
happy  signs  about  them,  a  little  sadness  and  a  little 
tragedy  crept  into  her  voice. 

"Never!"  cried  Dicky,  with  the  blindness  of 
that  time  of  morning  and  that  time  of  life.  "  Never ! 
I  can  see  your  past.  It's  as  white  and  clean 
as " 

"No,  it  isn't." 

"I  don't  care,  anyway.  I'm  satisfied  with  this 
morning." 

"  Please  be  sensible ! " 

"No.  That's  not  my  strong  point  —  and  any- 
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way  I  won't!  How  long  're  you  going  to  stay 
here?" 

"  Just  over  Sunday." 

"Oh,  we'll  have  to  fix  that.  A  month  is  the 
least " 

"  Don't  let's  worry  about  to-morrow.  Come,  I'll 
beat  you  in  to  the  gate,"  and  off  she  went  with  the 
pony  on  the  run,  the  man  following  and  watching 
the  grace  and  ease  with  which  she  sat  the  little 
horse  —  the  grace  and  ease  of  a  girl  at  home  in  the 
saddle.  And  he  thought  —  the  idiot  —  that  he  had 
never  seen  such  a  sight  before. 

As  they  dismounted  at  the  stable  and  walked  the 
short-cut  path  through  the  trees  to  the  house,  he 
stopped. 

"Edith " 

"  Our  ride  is  over,  sir." 

"  Please  let  me  —  until  we  get  as  far  as  the 
house ! " 

"No,  no.  I've  been  very  bad  anyway.  Mr. 
Barnes,  you  —  you  won't  think  I've  been  —  er  — 
undignified " 

"I?     Good  Heavens,  I " 

"You  won't " 

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*'I  can't  think  of  anything,  but  that  I  must 
really  have  known  you  a  long,  long  time  —  I  do, 
really  —  I  sort  of  feel  as  if  we  were  good  pals,  and 
that  I  could  tell  you  lots  of  troubles  and  things  — 
and  that  we'd  have  some  more,  many  more  rides, 
and " 

"Wait,"     she     was     almost     frightened     now. 

«C  T » 

"Don't  say  a  word " 

"  But  I  must  —  I  can't ! "  she  murmured  to  her- 
self. Then —  "Wait!  You  know  —  I'm  really 
very  old  —  you  see  —  I've  travelled  and  seen  a 
great  deal  of  the  world " 

"  Stuff ! "  muttered  Dick. 

"  And  I've  lived  and  lived " 

"About  eighteen  years." 

"  Oh,  a  long,  long  time  —  and "  She  looked 

away  at  the  trees,  drew  in  her  breath  with  a  con- 
vulsive little  movement   and  then  continued  with 
what  she  tried  to  make  the  same  gay  manner  — 
"And,      goodness      me,     I'm     even     engaged  — 
and " 

"Engaged!"  laughed  Richard.  "Engaged  to 
what?" 

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A   BOX   OF    MATCHES 

"Engaged    to    Major    Pendleton  —  and " 

She  could  not  go  on. 

There  was  a  sudden  pause. 

"  You're  engaged  to  be  married?  "  said  Dicky 
slowly. 

«  yes." 

"You!" 

"  I  thought  you  knew  —  yes." 

"To  the  Major?"     He  could  not  comprehend. 

"  Yes.  He's  made  it  possible  for  me  to  live  since 
my  father  and  mother  died,  and  —  and  —  I'm 
engaged  to  him." 

They  walked  on  toward  the  house  without  a. 
word,  across  the  lawn,  slowly,  side  by  side,  up  the 
veranda  steps.  There  she  paused  and  tried  to  say 
something,  but  failed.  Then: 

"  I'm  sorry,"  gently. 

"Sorry  you're  engaged?"  cried  he,  turning  on 
her  suddenly  with  angry  eyes. 

"Oh,  no,  Mr.  Barnes,"  and  her  whole  figure 
straightened. 

"Then  why  sorry?" 

"  Nothing,"  said  Miss  Wells  as  she  went  into  the 
hall  and  up  to  her  room. 

345 


XLII 


"SHE'S  a  dear  girl,  Major,"  said  Mrs.  Braveur 
that  afternoon  as  they  sat  on  the  veranda.  "I 
don't  wonder  you  picked  her  out." 

"  And  you're  not  going  to  make  fun  of  me  ? 

"  I  never  saw  a  man  so  afraid  of  ridicule.     Why 
should  I?" 

"Well,  dear,  I'm  a  little  older  than  Edith." 

"  But  if  you  two  —  if  you  agree  on  it,  what  has 
age  to  do  with  it?" 

"That's  just  what  I  said  to  myself.     But  you 
know  Pm  an  old  dodger  -  " 

"  You're  the  youngest  of  us  all,  I  believe." 

"And    Pve    a    good    many    set    notions,    I'm 
afraid  -  " 

"  She'll  get  used  to  them." 

"And  then,  she  —  she's  not  had  much  —  that  is, 
maybe  she'll  regret  it  by  and  by." 

"  Not  unless  you  make  her." 
346 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"  That  shall  be  my  object  in  life  now,"  said  he 
quietly.  "  She  means  everything  to  me.  I  feel  just 
as  young  as  she  does,  Lucy,  and  the  few  years  left 
to  me  would  be  lonely  and  miserable  without  her." 

"  I'm  so  glad,"  said  Mrs.  Braveur  softly,  put- 
ting her  hand  on  his  arm. 

"  I've  known  her  since  she  was  a  tiny  baby,"  con- 
tinued the  Major,  looking  out  across  the  lawn; 
"watched  her  grow  up  and  develop.  I've  worked 
over  her  poor  weak  father's  tiny  estate " 

"  And  pieced  it  out  here  and  there  ?  " 

"  It  was  my  joy,  dear.  And  I  have  seen  her  sud- 
denly bloom  into  a  beautiful  woman.  They'll  say 
I'm  in  my  second  childhood,  but  good  God,  Lucy, 
a  man's  only  old  when  he  feels  so!"  And  Jim 
Braveur  came  up  from  the  stables. 

"  Where's  that  scamp,  Barnes  ?  "  he  asked.  "  He 
was  going  out  with  those  ponies,  and  I  haven't  seen 
hide  or  hair  of  him." 

"  He's  in  the  library,  or  was  a  few  minutes  ago." 

"  Oh,  Dick ! "  called  Braveur. 

"  What's  up  ? "  came  a  voice  from  inside  the 
house,  and  Richard  appeared. 

"What  about  those  ponies,  loafer?" 

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A   BOX   OF    MATCHES 

"I  rode  one  this  morning." 

"Which?" 

"The  bay,  I  think." 

"You  think!  Say,  Dick,  don't  you  know  the 
colour  of  your  mount  ?  " 

"It  was  the  piebald  pony,"  said  Miss  Wells, 
coming  out  for  tea. 

"How-    -" 

"  We  got  up  early  and  rode  two  of  them.  I  had 
a  black  one  and  Mr.  Barnes  rode  the  piebald." 

"  I  suppose  it  was  so  dark  that  Dick  couldn't  tell 
the  colour,"  said  Braveur  sarcastically. 

"Yep,  that  was  it,"  answered  Richard  listlessly. 

Mrs.  Braveur  glanced  from  one  to  the  other, 
with  the  extraordinary  faculty  of  woman.  She 
knew  something  was  wrong  and  tried  to  guess  the 
cause.  Something  was  wrong,  that  was  not  to  be 
questioned.  But  what?  She  could  not  guess,  yet 
she  would  know  before  long,  or  her  name 
wasn't 

"Where  did  you  go,  Edith,  dear?" 

"I  haven't  the  remotest  idea.  We  went  up  the 
valley,  then  through  woods,  then  on  hills,  then 
home." 

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A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"  How'd  they  go,  Dick  ?  "  asked  Braveur. 

"The  piebald's  rotten,"  remarked  Mr.  Barnes. 

"  That's  encouraging.  I  paid  three  hundred  and 
a  half  for  her." 

"Miss  Wells  can  tell  you  about  the  black." 

"  I  thought  he  went  beautifully,  Mr.  Braveur." 

Still  Lucy's  keen  mind  was  searching,  studying, 
divining.  But  she  could  make  nothing  of  it.  No 
one  seemed  to  be  aware  of  anything  different,  yet 
she  knew  it  was  there.  And  all  through  tea,  all 
through  dinner,  she  kept  steadily  on,  because  she 
was  a  woman  and  because  to  a  woman  such  prob- 
lems must  and  shall  be  solved. 

She  was  watching  unconsciously  as  they  started 
over  for  the  club  dance,  which  on  this  Saturday 
was  a  little  more  extensive  than  usual,  as  it  cele- 
brated the  official  opening  of  the  club  for  the 
summer. 

The  Major  sat  on  the  piazza,  for  a  while  with  the 
others,  and  then  joined  a  bridge  table  in  the  card 
room  made  up  of  some  cronies  of  his.  The  Braveurs 
danced  —  Lucy  maintained  that  she  would  dance 
till  she  died,  even  if  she  lived  to  be  a  hundred  Mr. 
Richard  Barnes,  gloomy  and  cross  —  he  scarcely 

349 


A  BOX   OF   MATCHES 

knew  why  —  stood  in  the  doorway  of  the  big  hall 
that  was  cleared  for  dancing  and  watched  a  certain 
light-haired  young  girl  in  a  white  frock  as  she 
swung  round  the  room.  He  had  not  danced  yet. 
He  had  decided  he  wouldn't. 

Then  he  caught  a  look  across  the  room,  and 
threw  good  resolutions  and  gloomy  ones  to  the 
winds. 

"Will  you  consent  to  dance  with  me?"  he  asked 
in  what  he  vainly  believed  to  be  a  fine  offhand 
society  manner. 

"Why  not?"  said  she.  "That  is,  if  you  can 
dance." 

And  so  they  started  off  with  a  waltz,  gliding 
here  and  there  and  everywhere,  out  in  the  crowd, 
then  seeking  little  corners  for  a  quiet  step  and  rest, 
moving  out  into  the  swing  again  for  a  quick  dash 
—  neither  speaking,  neither  thinking  overmuch, 
perhaps,  but  suiting  one  another's  step  as  if  they 
had  been  taught  to  dance  together.  He  could  hear 
her  quick  breathing  close  to  his  ear,  and  asked: 

"Tired?" 

"  No ;  I  love  it." 

And  then  out  again  into  the  whirl  with  a  long, 
350 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

easy  step  that  sent  Dicky's  heart  flying  at  a  dan- 
gerous pace  —  and  then  the  music  stopped. 

"  That  was  splendid ! "  cried  the  girl,  looking 
up  at  him  with  a  flushed  and  smiling  face. 

"  Come  out  and  get  cool,"  and  they  walked  along 
the  dark  veranda  and  sat  down  on  the  steps. 

Silence  for  a  time. 

"  Are  you  angry  with  me?  " 

"I?     Why  should  I  be?" 

"  Because  —  because  you  were   so  kind  and  — 

and  jolly  this  morning,  and  now  —  all  day  —  well, 
j » 

"  I  haven't  congratulated  you  on  your  engage- 
ment yet." 

"  No." 

"I  do  now." 

"  Thank  you." 

Silence. 

"You  are  angry  with  me,"  said  the  girl 
presently. 

Then  he  turned  to  her. 

"Shall  I  tell  you  why?" 

"  I  don't  know  —  perhaps  you'd  better  not." 

"  I'll  tell  you  a  fairy  story,  then." 

351 


A   BOX  OF   MATCHES 

"Is  it  wise  to?" 

"Probably  not." 

"  Then  I  wouldn't." 

"I  must.  I  can't  help  it.  You  see,  there  was 
once  —  in  Arcady  —  a  foolish  idiot  of  a  man." 

"He's  usually  a  prince,"  murmured  the  girl, 
hardly  realising  what  she  said. 

"Well,  this  feller  was  just  a  plain  idiot." 

"  I  can't  imagine  a  story  being  interesting  with 
a  hero  who  is  an  idiot."  She  was  sparring  for  time. 

"This  won't  interest  you,  I  imagine,  but 
it  does  me.  This  idiot  met  a  beautiful  young 
princess " 

"  Ah,  that's  better.  But  I  hope  she  isn't  going 
to  fall  in  love  with  the  idiot." 

"Oh!"  said  Miss  Wells  suddenly,  in  a  different 
tone. 

"  The  idiot  met  her,  and  —  and  —  well,  this  idiot 
simply  keeled  over  the  very  first  instant  he  laid  eyes 
on  her.  He  couldn't  help  it,  Miss  Wells,  this  idiot 
—  he  had  nothing  to  do  with  it.  Is  that  possible, 
do  you  think?" 

She  did  not  answer  at  once.  Then  she  said  in  a 
low,  startled  voice: 

352 


A   BOX   OF    MATCHES 

"I  don't  know." 

"It  must  be,  because  it's  a  fact  —  and  the  idiot 
just  kept  on  from  the  start.  It  was  all  so  new 
and  strange  and  so  —  so  right,  he  thought,  this 
idiot " 

"  Please  don't ! "  begged  the  girl. 

"And  he  showed  it,  I  guess,  because  she  — 
that  is,  this  princess  —  by  and  by  divined  it 

"All  at  once,"  said  she  earnestly. 

"  And  then  she  told  him  she  was  going  to  marry 
the " 

"Mr.  Barnes,"  said  she,  "ought  you  to  tell  me 
this  fairy  story  ?  " 

"No,"  said  Dicky  gloomily. 

"Ought  I  to  listen  to  it?" 

"  No,"  he  repeated. 

Lucy  Braveur,  with  the  instinctive  responsibility 
of  chaperonage  born  in  her,  had  missed  her  charge 
and  begun  to  look  about  to  see  if  the  girl  was  hav- 
ing a  good  time.  Not  finding  her  in  the  room,  she 
tried  the  piazza,  and  came  upon  the  backs  of  a 
white  frock  and  a  black  coat.  And  before  she 
could  move  away  she  heard  three  sentences. 

"  Oughtn't  this  man,"  she  heard  Miss  Wells  say— 
353 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"  I  won't  call  him  an  idiot,  because  I  don't  believe 
he  is  —  was  one  —  oughtn't  he  to  have  forgotten 
the  princess  then  at  once  ?  " 

"Yes,  Miss  Wells,  but  he  can't!  He  can't! 
That's  all  there  is  about  it.  He  can't  —  and  — 
won't! " 

"  Then  the  princess  will,"  said  she.  "  Shall  we 
go  in  ?  " 

"Oh!"  whispered  Lucy  Braveur  to  herself  as 
she  went  quickly  back  into  the  room.  "  It  can't  be ! 
It  mustn't  be!  How  dreadful!  What  can  I  do?" 
And  for  a  long  time  that  night  she  lay  wide 
awake,  thinking,  thinking. 

Next  day  they  were  persuaded  to  stay  over  for 
the  following  week — the^Yfajor  and  his  fiancee.  It 
was  a  jolly  week.  They  had  dinners  and  picnics 
and  sails  and  what  not.  But  one  night  the  Major 
and  Mrs.  Braveur  were  sitting  by  themselves.  It 
seemed  to  her  that  he  had  with  great  care  arranged 
that  they  should.  So  she  waited. 

"Child,"  said  the  old  man  presently,  "I've  got 
to  talk  to  somebody  —  a  woman,  too.  And  you're 
about  the  wisest  one  I  know." 

She  looked  up  at  him  sympathetically,  but  said 
354 


A    BOX   OF    MATCHES 

nothing.  He  did  not  look  at  her  at  all.  He  sat 
quietly  thinking  a  moment  with  a  shadow  over  the 
face  that  had  so  many  fine  lines  in  it. 

"  I  made  a  mistake  yesterday." 

"  You  ?  "  as  he  hesitated  to  go  on. 

"  I  saw  Edith  and  young  Barnes  walking 
together." 

"You  did?" 

"  Edith  has  been  very  different  this  week  —  all 
her  light  nature  seems  to  have  gone.  I  —  I  couldn't 
understand  it."  He  hesitated  again. 

"  She'll  be  all  right,"  said  Mrs.  Braveur,  trying 
to  be  reassuring. 

"Yes,"  said  the  Major  sadly.  "She'll  be  all 
right  presently.  But,  Lucy,  I  suddenly  seemed  to 
see  something  from  the  way  those  two  children 
walked  and  talked  as  they  went  down  by  the  woods 
on  the  shore.  Then  do  you  know  what  I  did?  "  and 
he  turned  and  looked  straight  at  her. 

"What?" 

"  I  followed  them  and  listened." 

"Major  Pendleton!" 

"  I  did.     And  —  and,  child,  she " 

Jim  and  Dick  came  suddenly  into  the  room. 

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A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

The  hostess  quickly  touched  the  Major's  arm 
and  motioned  him  to  follow  her.  They  went  up  to 
her  sitting-room  and  closed  the  door. 

No  one  has  ever  known  what  happened  there, 
but  when  Lucy  came  out  into  the  hall  with  him  she 
put  her  arms  tight  around  the  courtly  old  gentle- 
man's neck  and  kissed  him  and  whispered: 

"You  dear!    You  dear!" 


356 


xLin 


"DICKY,"  called  Lucy  from  the  hall  just  after 
tea  a  day  later.  The  usual  afternoon  family  func- 
tion had  been  rather  sombre,  because  the  Major  had 
suddenly  been  called  back  to  town  on  business  — 
the  man  who  had  no  business  for  thirty  years  — 
and  Miss  Wells  had  been  absent  for  no  known 
reason.  "  Dicky,  come  here." 

"  What's  up  ?  "  asked  that  gentleman,  appearing 
at  the  door. 

She  took  hold  of  his  coat  and  the  small  hand 
trembled  visibly. 

"  Dicky,  will  you  go  up  to  my  sewing-room  and 
get  something  on  the  sofa  ?  " 

"  Sure,"  said  Richard,  starting  away. 

"Wait.  It's  —  it's  on  the  sofa,  I  think.  But 
maybe  it  isn't." 

"What  under  the  sun  are  you  driving  at, 
Lucy?  "  said  Richard,  beginning  to  study  her  more 
closely. 

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"  It's  there,  Dick,"  she  said,  reaching  up  and 
taking  the  two  brown  manly  cheeks  between  her 
hands.  "  It's  there,  Dick,  and  it  —  it  isn't  engaged 

any  more "  and  she  reached  up  and  kissed 

him. 

But  Richard  did  not  need  more  than  one  hint. 
He  bounded  up  the  stairs  and  knocked  on  the  sit- 
ting-room door.  Receiving  no  reply,  he  went  in 
without  more  ado. 

On  the  sofa  was  a  jumble  of  soft,  gray  gown. 
He  shut  the  door  softly  and  went  quietly  across  the 
room  and  took  the  gray  gown  in  his  arms.  It  shook 
and  sobbed  a  little,  but  did  not  move. 

"  Edith ! "  begged  he.    "  Stop !    Look  at  me." 

"I  can't!    It's  terrible!" 

"  No,  it  isn't,  dear.     It's  all  right,  it's " 

Suddenly  she  turned  on  him. 

"Look!    Look!    Read  that!" 

He  picked  up  the  letter  and  read  it  through. 
Then  laying  it  on  the  sofa,  he  turned  to  her  again 
and  slowly  moved  the  flushed  face  with  its  frame  of 
tangled  hair  towards  him. 

"I'm  doggoned  if  he  isn't  the  whitest  old  cock 
that  ever  lived." 

358 


"  White ! "  cried  she.  "  I  love  him,  Dick !  I  do 
really!" 

"Sure!    So  do  I!" 

"  But  how  can  II  —  oh,  what  am  I  saying ! " 

"You  can.  Go  on.  We're  both  in  it.  But  — 
but  I  want  my  kind!" 

"  I've  only  known  you  a  week,  and  I've  known 
him  all  my  life." 

"Well,  you'll  know  me  all  the  rest  of  your  life, 
so  it's  square." 

"But " 

"  Tell  me  —  look  at  me  first  —  tell  me,  dear 
heart,  can  the  princess  stand  the  idiot?" 

She  turned  away  from  him  suddenly  and  said 
nothing. 

"Can  she?" 

"That  was  a  horrid  story.  You're  not  an 
idiot." 

"What  am  I?" 

"  I  don't  know  —  I  wish  I  did.  You  —  you  — 
ah,  Dick,  can  we  have  some  more  rides  together  ?  " 

"Yes,  dear." 

"  Very  early  in  the  mornings  ?  " 

"Sure." 

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A   BOX   OF    MATCHES 

"And  will  it  always  be  May  with  little  flowers 
and  trees  growing  and  mists  in  the  valleys  ?  " 

"  It  will,  if  I  can  make  it  so,  Edith." 

"Will  you  try  hard,  hard?" 

"  For  all  I'm  worth." 

"  And  never  let  me  grow  old  —  never,  Dick  ?  " 

"  Never." 

"  If  you  only  knew  —  if  you  only  knew ! "  mur- 
mured the  girl,  clinging  close  to  him. 

"What!" 

"  If  you  only  knew  what  it  is  to  be  with  someone 
who  isn't  dignified  and  polite  and  correct  and 
right!" 

"  Well,  say,  young  woman " 

11  Don't  ever  be  dignified,  Dicky,  will  you  ?  " 

"  Never,  s'  help  me ! "  and  he  put  his  hand  on  the 
bright  hair  and  turned  her  face  up  to  his.  And 
when  he  saw  the  glistening  eyes  shining  up  so  earn- 
estly at  him,  he  said  again  slowly : 

"Never  will  I  do  anything  that  shall  change 
your  face  from  what  it  is  now.  If  I  do " 

But  she  put  her  hand  gently  over  his  mouth. 

360 


XLIV 


DOWN  at  the  Naugatuck  colony,  in  their  home, 
one  evening  a  day  or  two  later  sat  Mr.  James 
Braveur  and  his  wife.  The  lamp  in  the  library 
shed  a  yellow  light  over  the  room,  and  though  he 
had  been  now  for  some  twelve  years  married,  Jim 
happened  to  glance  towards  the  person  sitting  near 
by,  who  had  agreed  to  stick  by  him  for  better  or 
worse.  He  would  never  have  acknowledged  it,  but 
there  came  into  his  mind  the  thought  that  he  had 
done  pretty  well  on  the  whole. 

She  was  sewing  at  the  moment  on  something  that 
had  little  arms  to  it  and  was  white  and  youthful. 
Suddenly,  without  looking  up,  she  said: 

"  I  was  right,  Jim." 

"  Of  course.    How  could  you  be  otherwise?  " 

"  You  don't  know  what  I  mean  at  all." 

"  Not  at  all." 

"  Then,  why  do  you  agree?  " 

"  Because  if  I  didn't,  there'd  be  a  row." 
361 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"Don't  you  think  I'm  usually  right,  dear?"  she 
asked,  leaving  her  work  and  coming  over  to  sit  on 
the  arm  of  his  big  chair. 

"  That's  what  I  said." 

"Well,  you  remember  I  said  Ethel  Talbot  had 
at  last  started  on  the  right  course  at  our  dance  last 
winter." 

"  Throwing  over  Freddie  Beaumont  ?  " 

"  Well,  that's  not  a  very  nice  way  to  put  it." 

"  I  remember,"  said  he,  smiling  at  her. 

"  Jim,  don't  you  laugh  at  me ! " 

"Not  for  worlds!  Who's  the  fair  Miss  Talbot 
got?" 

"  She  wrote  me  to-day  she  was  married  to  Rich- 
ard Darley." 

"  Why,  child,  he's  a  journalist !  He  hasn't  got  a 
cent,  and  never  will  have." 

"Is  money  necessary,  Jim?"  asked  Lucy,  look- 
ing into  space. 

"Absolutely." 

"Wouldn't  we  be  happy  without  it?" 

"We'd  be  hungry,  anyway." 

"You  haven't  got  one  atom  of  sentiment, 
dear." 

362 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"  Not  one,  when  it  comes  to  food." 

"Well,  you  needn't  worry  about  Ethel.  Her 
father  has  given  her  half  a  million  as  a  wedding 
present." 

"•Then  I  don't  think  I  need  worry  about 
Darley." 

"  That's  a  mean  thing  to  say,  Jim." 

"  It's  true,  though." 
"  No,  it  isn't,"  and  she  sat  up  on  the  arm  and 

turned  to  him.  "  Ethel  wrote  me  to-day  and  said 
he  would  not  let  her  touch  one  cent  of  it." 

"  Wait  till  they  get  hungry." 

"  He  says  he  has  six  thousand  a  year  and  they 
are  going  to  live  on  that  in  a  little  apartment " 

"With  twenty  thousand  a  year  rolling  up  in  a 
bank  ?  You  watch  them." 

"  Jim,  you're  such  a  hypocrite !  You  know  you're 
just  as  glad  as  I  am!"  and  she  slid  down  into  his 
lap  and  put  her  arm  around  his  neck. 

The  door  opened  and  little  Lucy  ran  in. 

"Mother,  mayn't  I  have  a  piece  of  candy — no 
— no,  you  can't  do  that,  father ! "  and  the  little  girl 
climbed  up  on  his  other  knee,  to  the  amusement  of 
both  parents,  and  deliberately  took  the  arm  that 

363 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

was  around  her  mother  and  put  it  around  her  own 
neck,  holding  it  tight. 

"What's  the  matter,  kid?"  asked  Braveur. 

"  Nol  No  1 "  cried  the  girl,  holding  the  arm  tight. 

"  Seems  to  me  I'm  in  demand  to-night,"  laughed 
the  father. 

"  Lucy,  what  are  you  doing  up  at  this  hour  ?  It's 
half-past  seven." 

"Annette  won't  give  me  a  piece  of  candy  with 
my  supper." 

"  Well,  run  along,  dear.  You  can  have  one  piece, 
if  you'll  go  quick  to  bed." 

"One  of  the  big  pieces?"  and  the  child  looked 
at  her  mother  as  she  slackened  her  hold  on  her 
father's  arm. 

"  Yes,  two  of  'em,"  laughed  Braveur.  "  Come, 
now,  scoot ! " 

There  was  a  pause  after  she  had  run  away,  call- 
ing gleefully  for  Annette. 

"I  wonder  if  Lucy  will  be  pretty,"  mused  Mrs. 
Braveur,  resuming  her  position. 

No  answer,  except  perhaps  an  almost  inaudible 
chuckle. 

"  She  ought  to  be." 

364 


A   BOX   OF    MATCHES 

"Inheritance?" 

"  Well,  am  I  homely  ?  You  don't  dare  to  tell  me 
lam!" 

"No,  I  don't." 

"  I  do  hope  she'll  have  IT." 

"What  IT?" 

"Oh,  you  know.     Something  that  every  woman 
must  have  —  something  that  makes  men  like  her  — 
something  that  never  leaves  her  alone  at  a  dance  — 
that  makes  all  her  clothes  just  right  —  that " 

"  Don't  worry.     She'll  have  that  all  right." 

"  Inheritance  again  ?  " 

"  Absolutely." 

"  Now  you're  getting  in  a  better  frame  of 
mind."  Then,  after  a  pause,  "  I  really  think  Billy 
Winthrop  is  quite  devoted  to  her " 

"Good  Lord,  Lu!  You  don't  mean  to  tell  me 
you're  trying  to  get  your  own  eleven-year-old 
daughter  married ! "  and  Braveur  sat  up  and  burst 
into  laughter. 

"  She's  got  to  marry  sometime,  dear." 

"  Well,  that — is — the — limit ! "  and  he  sank  back 
in  his  chair  and  laughed  again.  There  was  an 
ominous  silence  on  the  part  of  the  other  occupant 

365 


A   BOX  OF   MATCHES 

of  that  chair.     "Have  you  got  Dick  and  Mabel 
fixed  yet?" 

"  Don't  be  an  idiot,  Jim." 

"  I'm  not  the  person  that  noun  belongs  to.  Dear 
me,  you'll  have  to  begin  pretty  soon  on  the  wearer 
of  that  frock  you're  making." 

She  got  a  little  closer  to  him  and  said  softly : 

"Don't  you  like  your  children,  dear?" 

"  They  can't  charge  us  with  racial  suicide,  any- 
way. That's  one  comfort." 

"Don't  you  like  them?"  she  repeated  without 
paying  attention  to  what  he  said. 

Mr.  James  Braveur  paused  a  while,  until  his 
wife  turned  her  head  so  that  she  could  look  up  into 
his  face. 

"Don't  you?" 

"  I'll  tell  you  what  we'll  do,  Lu." 

"What?" 

"  We'll  make  a  compact  to  have  one  under  three 
years  old  in  this  house  as  long  as  we  live." 

"Goodness!"  cried  Lucy,  sitting  up  suddenly. 
"  Goodness  me !  There  might  be  twenty ! " 

"I  don't  care." 

"Why?" 

366 


A   BOX   OF   MATCHES 

"  Well,  in  the  first  place  that  will  keep  your  old 
age  green  —  getting  them  married " 

"Jim!" 

"  And  in  the  second  place  I  —  I  —  well  I 
rather  like  one  of  the  soft  things  toddling  round, 
you  know." 

Her  arm  tightened  a  little  round  his  neck. 

"Better  than  dogs?" 

"  Ye-es ! " 

"Than  horses?" 

"Yes." 

"Than  wives?" 

"  Well,  I  can't  have  but  one,  and  so  I'm  not  able 
to  answer  that  ?  " 

"  Better  than  one  wife  ?  " 

"  Ah !  That's  a  question  philosophers  have  tried 
to  settle  these  thousand  years." 

"  Well,  sir,  you  must  settle  it  this  minute ! " 

"All  right.     I  decide  for  the  wife." 

"You're  safe.    The  children  can't  get  mad." 

"That  was  the  course  of  my  reasoning,"  said 
Braveur. 

"Don't  you  love  me,  Jim,  dear?"  asked  his  lady, 
a  little  irritated. 

367 


A    BOX   OF    MATCHES 

"  I've  said  I  did  several  times." 

"Well  you  ought  to  say  it  oftener.     Don't  you 
like  my  'match-making,'  as  you  call  it?" 

"I'm  not  the  one  that  can  object  to  that." 

"Don't  you  know  why  I  like  it  so?" 

"  Bless  my  soul,  I  can't  imagine ! " 

"  Because,  dear,  because  —  I  don't  think  I'll  tell 
you." 

"What's   the  reason?"   and   Jim   was  a  little 
interested. 

"You  don't  deserve  to  know." 

"  Tell  me  and  I'll  live  up  to  it  hereafter." 

"Will  you  really?" 

"Honour  bright!" 

She  nestled  down  on  his  shoulder  again  and  said 
softly : 

"  Because  I've  been  so  happy  myself  that  I  want 
everybody  to  do  likewise." 

The  man  in  Braveur  would  not  let  him  say  a 
word,  but  he  turned  his  head  and  kissed  the  lips 
that  quivered  a  little  so  close  to  his,  and  then  he 
turned  guiltily  to  see  if  anyone  had  witnessed  — 
and  discovered  six  feet  of  dignified  and  unseeing 
butler  standing  in  the  doorway. 
368 


A   BOX   OF    MATCHES 

Jim  jumped  upright  as  the  six  feet  announced: 

"  Dinner  is  served,  madam." 

Even  Lucy  started  at  these  solemn  and  unex- 
pected words,  and  then,  as  Thomas  disappeared,  she 
turned  and  looked  at.  her  husband  as  he  stood  glanc- 
ing sheepishly  at  the  empty  doorway. 

She  gave  a  happy  little  laugh  and  ran  to  him 
and  kissed  him  again,  crying: 

"  Oh,  Jim,  dear,  you  haven't  changed  one  atom 
in  twelve  long  years  —  not  one  atom ! " 


THE  END 


369 


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OLD  CHESTER  TALES.     By  Margaret  Deland.     Illustrated 
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A  vivid  yet  delicate  portrayal  of  characters  in  an  old  New  England  town. 

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THE  MEMOIRS  OF  A  BABY.    By  Josephine  Daskam.    Illus- 
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REBECCA  MARY.      By  Annie  Hamilton  Donnell.      Illustrated 

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The  heart  tragedies  of  this  little  girl  with  no  one  near  to  share  them,  are 
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